Here is what you should do before you even consider accepting an settlement after a St. Louis car accident.
If you’ve been injured in a St. Louis car accident and the responsible party’s insurance company has offered you a settlement, you may be wondering what to do if you don’t think it’s fair. Should you just accept it anyway? Can you renegotiate? Find out below!
1. Do Not Accept The Settlement
Once you sign and accept a settlement, the case is generally over. You are generally barred from appealing the settlement or reopening the case.
So if you are not happy with the settlement offer, don’t accept it. You do not have to accept an offer that you think is too low. You can renegotiate with the help of a St. Louis car accident lawyer.
2. Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
If you do not already have an attorney, speak with one as soon as possible. A St. Louis car accident lawyer can provide you with the advice you need and negotiate a better settlement to get the money you deserve after you’ve been injured in a car or truck accident in St. Louis.
3. Get All The Documentation You Can About Your Accident
Together, you and your lawyer will need to get information like medical records, police reports, eyewitness testimonies, and everything else you can to strengthen your case. The stronger your case, the better chance you have of getting a fair settlement.
4. Negotiate a Fair Settlement or Go To Trial With the Help of Your Lawyer
Once you and your lawyer have consulted and discussed your case, they will help you pursue a more reasonable settlement, creating an offer and sending it to the responsible party’s insurer. They may counter-offer, and this process may be repeated several times until you come to a mutually-agreeable solution. Once you and your attorney are satisfied with the settlement, you will generally agree to it, and get the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney may also determine that it is necessary to take your case to trial. However, this is quite rare. Your St. Louis car accident lawyer will likely recommend that you negotiate a settlement unless the terms offered by the responsible party’s insurer are absolutely unacceptable.
Speak With a Qualified St. Louis Car Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in an auto accident in St. Louis, you will benefit greatly from the experience of a qualified St. Louis auto accident attorney. We are here to help!
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!