Posted on: 3 June 2015

If you've been injured as a result of another person's carelessness--whether it be due to a car accident, slip-and-fall, or anything in between--there's a good chance you're filing a personal injury claim as a means of seeking the compensation to which you're entitled. As you go through the complicated and drawn-out claims process, however, there are some things you need to know about negotiating with the insurance company.

DO Have a Specific Settlement Amount in Mind

As soon as possible, it's important that you get a solid idea as to how much compensation you're legally entitled to. This should include compensation for any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident, costs related to property damage, pain and suffering, and even lost wages. The best way to determine how much compensation you're entitled to is to is to work one-on-one with an experienced personal injury lawyer and keep detailed records of all your expenses. From there, you can get off to the right start when it comes to the negotiation process.

DO Ask the Adjuster for Reasoning

When you receive your first offer from the insurance company, make sure that you find out about their justification for their compensation offer. This is especially important if the offer is lower than what you were originally expecting. Generally, you can request a letter of justification from the insurance company, where they will explain the specific reasoning behind their offer. By being aware of the justification behind the insurance company's offer, you can determine the best course of action when it comes to arguing against it in court.

DON'T Ever Accept a First Offer

Finally, be aware that you should never accept the first offer that the insurance company gives you. Often, insurance companies will do their best to minimize the payments they make with the assumption that victims of personal injury accidents will accept any offer of compensation that's given to them. Instead, it's recommended that you work with a personal injury lawyer to reject the first offer from the insurance company and take the necessary steps and legal actions towards getting an offer that's fair.

Working with insurance companies following a personal injury claim can be a stressful situation, but the good news is that by working with a professional, you won't have to deal with the insurance companies one-on-one and can ensure the best possible representation for your case. For more information, contact Robert O. Levin Law Office or a similar firm.