After the adjuster has received the claimant’s demand letter, he or she might seek more information. Once the claimant has shared that information, a certain move would signal the start of negotiations. That move would take the form of an initial offer from the insurance company.

Some specifics on the timing for the adjuster’s bid/offer

Claimants that have failed to retain a lawyer could get an especially early offer. It would probably be quite low, because the adjuster would be hoping to get a quick acceptance from the claimant.

Claimants that have retained an Injury Lawyer in Fort Erie have more reason to expect an initial offer that is close to the estimate for their potential damages. After discussing their situation with their lawyer, the claimants’ minds should be better able to arrive at a smart decision. Some might accept; others might come forward with a counteroffer.

Useful guidance for any claimant

No lawyer can recognize a bid that is close to the value for a client’s damages, if he or she has not received all the details, regarding the full extent of the damages. Smart clients do not assume that the driver and occupants of a vehicle in a collision did not suffer any injuries.

Instead, those seemingly healthy individuals set aside time for visiting a doctor or a clinic. The insurance company checks to see whether or not any given claimant has completed those actions that should convince the same agency/company of the claimant’s efforts to mitigate the effects of any injury.

Moreover, if any of the vehicle’s occupants were minors, the lawyer could request an extension of the time available to the client, before the deadline for filing a personal injury claim. That added time might allow for the emergence of a slow-to-appear symptom.

If a claimant’s lawyer has encouraged the acceptance of an adjuster’s initial bid, then that same claimant should ask for the logic behind that suggestion. Some lawyers are eager to get their money, and do not make a real effort to win more money for their client.

A good attorney would question any bid that did not come close to the estimate for the client’s potential damages. He or she would stand ready to argue in favor of a larger bid/offer. The insurance adjuster should be able to explain the reason for the low figure that has been offered.

Adjusters that might lack a good reason could give any attorney a possible incentive for filing a lawsuit. In the eyes of the law, a demonstration of bad faith by an insurance company could qualify as the basis for initiation of a lawsuit. Few insurers want to face the possible consequences of such a lawsuit.