Be Prepared When Negotiating Insurance Settlement, Says Simi Valley Car Accident Lawyer

If you ask a Simi Valley car accident lawyer about negotiating a just and equitable settlement after a car accident, you'll be surprised how cases like these are ultimately settled. If you think, you'll never get into a car accident, you may also be surprised by how many accidents occur, just in Simi Valley.

Annual Car Accident Tragedies are Alarming

The California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that in 2006, nine people died and 462 were injured in Simi Valley car crashes. A total of 20 pedestrians were injured in car collisions. Two bicyclists were killed and 26 were injured in crashes. And 13 motorcyclists were injured. Drunk drivers caused four fatalities and 51 injuries. In 2007, nine car collisions ended in as many deaths.

Accept the Settlement or Negotiate?

Should you suffer a car accident, Simi Valley car accident lawyers will tell you that you'll undoubtedly be contacted by an insurance adjuster who will make you an offer. The adjuster will have two goals in mind: to settle with you as quickly as possible, and to settle for as little as possible. Depending on your circumstances and patience, you can either accept the settlement or negotiate. If you want to increase the settlement amount, you'll have to negotiate--a custom and practice the insurance industry is both familiar with and quite skilled at. Simi Valley car collision lawyers know that insurance adjusters expect you to reject their first offer, which places the burden on you to argue your case for a higher amount.

Five Questions to Ask Before Negotiating a Higher Settlement

In attempting to raise the settlement amount on your claim, you'll need to answer five key questions. What is the strength (the evidence) of your claim? What are similar claims generally resolved for? What is your settlement goal? What is your settlement bottom line? And what are your alternatives if you don't settle? Answering these questions may not be easy, which is why you may need help.

A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You With Answers

If you are injured in a car collision, some Simi Valley car crash lawyers offer free, no pressure, consultations to answer many questions you may have about negotiating a higher settlement.

Since 1978, Bisnar | Chase lawyers have represented over six thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an "AV" rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubble. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a "10" Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a "Community Hero" by the United Way, while Brian was named a "Trial Lawyer of the Year" in 2004 and one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers. You should settle for nothing less than the finest legal representation available. For more information on a Simi Valley car accident lawyer, get "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim" at http://www.BestAttorneyBooks.com or call 1-800-561-4887.

Copyright 2009 Bisnar Chase LLP. All Rights Reserved.