Although there is no guarantee that an attorney can secure a higher settlement from an insurer, it is very likely they can. Here’s why.
After an insurer receives an accident claim, an adjuster shall be assigned to handle it and he/she must confirm that the company is liable for covering the damages/losses outlined in it. Before any payment can be issued, the adjuster must consider what the policyholder’s limits are and what the victim’s losses amounted to. After determining this, the insurer will then likely provide the claimant with a settlement offer.
Sounds pretty straightforward, right?
While insurance companies make it seem as though they are looking out for your best interest and are here to provide you with the protection you need in the event of an accident, it isn’t until one occurs that a policyholder finds out how “helpful” insurers really are. The reality is, many insurance companies will often attempt to undervalue a claim while assuring the claimant that the amount offered is, in fact, the maximum amount they can collect on the policy.
So, what do you do when presented with such circumstances? Do you refuse to accept the settlement or demand the company increase it? What is the likelihood of the adjuster accepting your request for a higher payout?
Unfortunately, insurance carriers know how to get away with offering a claimant a settlement that is far lower than what they should receive. Sometimes, the company will come across an individual who is familiar with Ohio’s insurance laws and can provide proof of why they should receive more. But, because many aren’t well-versed in insurance law, most walk away with an unfair settlement offer that may not be enough to cover their damages/losses.
Here’s where a Hamilton, OH accident lawyer can help.
When an insurance carrier undervalues a claim or attempts to deny it claiming you don’t have adequate coverage to utilize certain benefits, an attorney can review the settlement offer or the denial notice and decide if your claim is being handled fairly. If the lawyer finds that the company isn’t providing you with the maximum amount you should receive given your damages warrant it, they can intervene. Aside from contacting your insurer directly, a lawyer can either negotiate with the adjuster to get them to raise your settlement offer or file an appeal.
Typically, once an accident attorney gets involved with the claims process, there is an increased chance that the adjuster will want to work with you rather than tell you that you aren’t entitled to any more money than what was initially offered. In the event the company isn’t willing to pay you, an attorney can then draft the required court papers and take your case to court.
When you choose to hire a lawyer to assist with the claims process after an accident, you stand a greater chance of being awarded a higher settlement than if you had chosen to handle the claim on your own. If you still aren’t convinced that a Hamilton, OH accident attorney can help you obtain a higher payout for your claim or you have some questions you would like answered, contact Kruger & Hodges now.
Kruger & Hodges can be reached at:
220 South Monument Avenue, Suite 100
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Phone: 513-894-3333
Website: www.thehometownlawyers.com
