How to Negotiate the Settlement You Deserve after a Chicago Car Crash?
A car accident happens in an instant. However, the effects of the crash can last for a long time, or may even be permanent. The process of seeking payments from the at-fault party can also take a long time, especially if you do not have the right legal representation. At Abels & Annes, P.C. in Chicago, our attorneys regularly negotiate car accident claims.
If you suffer injuries in a Chicago car crash, you should not wait to call a
Chicago car accident lawyer. At Abels & Annes, we are accident lawyers who stand up for the rights of our clients against insurance companies and in the courtroom. Call us at
(312) 924-7575 to learn more.
What Are Insurance Claim Settlements?
The first step to seek financial recovery is generally to file an insurance claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies are not easy to deal with, however, and you should have legal assistance from the very beginning of the claims process.
Insurance adjusters try to limit payments on claims when possible. This helps the insurance company retain more profits. However, it can make life extremely difficult for an innocent accident victim. The following are some ways an insurer may try to take advantage of you during the claim process:
- Convince you to make a recorded statement, hoping you might accidentally say something that can be used against your interests
- Downplay the seriousness of your injuries to convince you that your claim is not worth as much as you think
- Promise that they are on your side (they’re not) and that you should not call an attorney (you should)
- Offer much less than you deserve and try to convince you it is your best option
- Cause delays so you may agree to accept a first offer
Unfortunately, some accident victims do not realize they have other options than to simply accept an insurer’s offer. They do not realize that an injury attorney negotiates with the insurance company and fights for a higher offer. Our attorneys have a great deal of experience with auto insurance companies and how to prove the full value of your claim. Having our help from the start can often increase your chances of positively resolving your insurance claim.
What Are Personal Injury Settlements During Litigation?
In some cases, an insurance adjuster will not budge. This often occurs in cases involving serious injuries that require ongoing future treatment and cause many intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. Luckily, an insurance claim is not your only option for financial relief.
Sometimes there's a need to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. This lawsuit seeks a court order for the defendant to pay you what you deserve. Like any lawsuit, the personal injury litigation process proceeds in accordance with strict rules of civil procedure, as well as rules of the specific court where you file your claim.
Litigation has many stages, including initial pleadings, written and oral discovery, motions, and trial. However, the vast majority of cases resolve before trial. At some point both sides will likely engage in settlement negotiations.
Discovery provides insight into the evidence of the other side. This can allow our lawyers to build a strong case and prepare persuasive arguments for settlement negotiations.
In settlement negotiations we try to reach a favorable agreement with the defendant and the insurer. Many cases require several negotiation sessions and we will not back down and accept an offer that is too low. We can use expert analysis and opinions to show we have a strong case for proving both liability and your damages.
What is Pre-trial Conference, Mediation, Arbitration?
Parties in litigation may try to resolve a lawsuit in the following manner:
- The parties may participate in a pre-trial conference with the judge.
- A plaintiff and defendant may participate in a mediation with an agreed upon neutral.
- The parties may choose to directly negotiate with each other through their lawyers.
- An agreement could be reached to participate in a binding arbitration, saving the costs of a trial.
Reaching a settlement can be beneficial for many reasons. First, both parties have greater control over the outcome of the case. In a settlement, both parties agree to a certain amount. At trial, a jury may award more or less than the last settlement offer or may find in favor of the defendant altogether. There is greater certainty with a settlement agreement.
Are You Going to Trial?
Our car accident lawyers do realize there are some cases that just will not settle. We have experience in the courtroom and will take a case to trial when necessary. Sometimes, a defendant simply refuses to make a fair offer. In that situation you need a litigator that's ready to fight for you.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our priority is helping our clients. We engage in settlement negotiations with many types of defendants and many different insurance carriers in car accident cases. We negotiate settlements for a wide variety of cases, including those for clients with devastating or disabling injuries. No matter what happened in your car accident, please do not wait to contact our office so we can evaluate your rights.
Should You Contact a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer for More Information?
Accidents happen on the streets of Chicago on a daily basis and result in serious injuries. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a crash, the attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C., are here to help. We handle every aspect of car accident cases, from filing insurance claims to resolving lawsuits in the most favorable manner possible. We do not stop fighting for our clients and explore all options to get you the settlement you deserve. Please call our office at (312) 924-7575 or
contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.