Settling a car accident claim does not necessarily mean going to court as many wrongly assume. The majority of car accident claims are resolved outside the courtroom. Understanding the settlement process as a victim of a crash caused by a negligent driver can help in your claim for compensation.
Out-of-court settlement negotiations with insurance companies involve several rounds of offers and counteroffers until you reach an agreement. Once this happens and you accept the settlement offer, the agreed-upon settlement amount will be processed for payment, which settles your claim.
Remember, you are not legally obligated to accept a settlement offer from the insurance company if it is insufficient compensation for the harm and losses you suffered. You can make a counter-offer backed by evidence like medical bills, proof of lost income and other damages to justify the higher amount you seek.
How mediation can help
Sometimes, you may fail to reach an agreement through direct negotiations with the insurer. It could be due to disputes over issues like who was at fault for the crash or the amount of compensation. In such cases, mediation can help resolve your claim without going through lengthy and expensive court battles.
Mediation is a method of dispute resolution where a qualified neutral third party facilitates settlement negotiations to help reach an amicable agreement. The mediator cannot make decisions for any of the parties, which keeps you in control over the outcome of the process.
Learning more about how personal injury mediation works, your rights and legal options can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your car accident claim. Equally important is seeking qualified legal guidance to protect your interests during the claims settlement process.