Insurance & Negotiation – What You Need to Know

If you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, your own insurance pays for your damages. We specialize in holding insurers accountable for these specific policy benefits.

A comprehensive demand package includes medical records, bills, and expert reports that build a total narrative of your loss, forcing the insurance company to see the full value of your claim.

A settlement is a voluntary agreement to end the case, while a verdict is a decision made by a jury after a trial. A trial-ready firm uses the threat of a verdict to secure higher settlements.

Insurance adjusters are professional negotiators who work for their company, not you. They are trained to settle claims for the lowest possible amount. A lawyer’s job is to protect your interests, negotiate on a level playing field, and ensure your case is fully valued, including all your non-economic damages.

A bad faith claim is a lawsuit filed against an insurance company that has acted unreasonably or unlawfully by denying, delaying, or underpaying a valid claim. For example, if your own insurance company refuses to pay on your uninsured motorist policy without a valid reason, they could be acting in bad faith.

Insurance companies know that the true value of your injuries is not yet known shortly after the accident. They will often try to get you to accept a low, fast settlement before you have a full diagnosis, which could prevent you from recovering for future medical bills and pain and suffering.

Medical payments, or Med-Pay, is an optional part of your auto insurance policy that covers your medical expenses regardless of who is at fault for the accident. It is designed to provide quick access to funds for your initial medical treatment while your injury claim is still being investigated.

A demand letter is a formal document your attorney sends to the at-fault party’s insurance company. It details the facts of the case, explains liability, documents all your damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc.), and makes a specific monetary demand to settle the claim. A strong demand letter is the first step in serious settlement negotiations.

A lawyer challenges a low-ball offer by building an evidence-based case that details the full economic and non-economic value of your injuries. This typically involves using the testimony of medical experts, vocational specialists, and sending a comprehensive demand package with the threat of filing a lawsuit.

Proving bad faith requires evidence that the insurer’s denial or delay was unreasonable or unlawful. Effective evidence includes: internal company claim logs, emails showing the adjuster ignored medical evidence, or a pattern delay and/or unreasonable settlement offers.

An Interpleader Action occurs when the available insurance money (the policy limit) is not enough to cover all claims against the at-fault party. The insurer files the action to deposit the policy limit with the court and ask the court to decide how to divide the funds fairly among all injured parties.

No. Their claims unit is highly specialized and its goal is to resolve the property damage claim quickly to close the injury claim prematurely. Direct all communication and documentation requests to your attorney.