Like with most legal questions, the answer to “should I accept my first compensation offer after an injury in Kamuela, HI” is “it depends.” You should consider every settlement offer at face value before accepting or rejecting it.
Thankfully, you are under no obligation to consider your offer compensation on your own. Your attorney could provide you with insight into whether or not this offer is reasonable.
Frequently, the first offer is a jumping-off point that ultimately leads to resolution in your case. The attorneys of Olson & Sons can guide you through the process of settling your injury case. Reach out right away to learn more.
Responding to the First Settlement Offer in Kamuela, HI
You should never immediately accept the first offer from the other party following a personal injury. In fact, you should not accept an offer at all until you have had the chance to speak with a personal injury attorney.
There are a lot of things to consider before accepting or rejecting a first compensation offer. An offer might seem reasonable on its face, but it should be rejected if it will not meet your needs both now and in the future.
Our firm could help you understand whether or not a settlement offer is reasonable. We can rely on our experience with similar cases to advise you if the offer is in line with cases similar to yours as well and help you understand what you might expect if your case were to go to trial.
Insurance Companies are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies and their adjusters might seem like they are in a hurry to settle your injury case, but they are not doing so out of the goodness of their hearts. Instead, insurance companies often wish to resolve injury claims as soon as possible. This saves them time and money, especially when there is little doubt that their insured driver was at fault.
It is worth noting that insurance companies might make a settlement offer early on in the process, but that does not mean the offer is made in good faith. Some adjusters will quickly offer a settlement with the hope that you accept before speaking to an attorney. At the end of the day, insurance companies and their employees are concerned about their bottom line over your well-being.
Some adjusters might even aggressively push you to accept an unreasonable offer. They might ask you to give a recorded statement, then use your statement against you to imply you were at fault. In some cases, they might even use your statement as justification to refuse to negotiate any further.
The attorneys of Olsen & Sons have extensive experience negotiating personal injury settlements. Our team can handle every aspect of your case to ensure that you are treated fairly.
What Happens if you Reject an Offer of Settlement in Kamuela, HI
Rejecting a settlement offer does not mean your chances of resolving your injury case without a trial are gone. In fact, rejections and counter-offers are commonplace when negotiating a personal injury claim. Some insurance companies intentionally make low offers initially, with the expectation of increasing that offer during negotiation. Most of the time, the fear that rejecting an offer will bring an end to negotiations completely is unfounded.
There is a point where insurance companies will not be willing to negotiate any further. While adjusters for insurance companies usually have some leeway during settlement talks, some cases might have more room for negotiation than others. Typically, an insurance adjuster will make it clear when an offer is their best and final.
Knowing when to reject a settlement offer comes with experience. An attorney that has resolved cases similar to yours could have keen insight into what you might expect at trial if your case moves forward. Our firm could negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you get the best offer possible.
Talk to Olson & Sons About Your Injury Case in Kamuela, HI
It is generally not in your best interest to accept the first settlement offer in your personal injury case. Beyond that, it is vital that you do not accept an offer for settlement without first discussing your case with an attorney. An attorney could advise you if the offer you have received is in your best interest or not.
The attorneys of Olson & Sons are here to help you make sense of your personal injury settlement. We have handled countless claims for compensation, and we can use our experience to help you maximize your recovery. Contact us right away for your free consultation.
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