Negotiating Your Settlement After an Oklahoma Personal Injury Accident

Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law helps injury victims through the claims process in Oklahoma. Being injured makes everything more difficult, from just dealing with your day-to-day life to also dealing with an insurance company. Even though it might seem like they have the advantage, working with our team can help you stand up to an insurance company and get the best result for your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.

How Does an Insurance Company Negotiate With You?

After you make a formal demand to an insurance company, they will generally do one of two things:

• Counteroffer you
• Reject your claim

In the vast majority of injury cases, a counteroffer is what you’re going to get from the insurance company. However, an insurance company’s number one priority is to save money. This means they’re going to offer you as little as they can in the hopes that you’ll accept it. Specifically, though, here’s a few ways they negotiate:

• Delay – First, the insurance company may try to delay your payment as long as possible. They could ask for unnecessary paperwork or use the wrong forms to slow things down. Sometimes, they give you a short deadline to file your claim or offer a very low amount, hoping you’ll reject it and extend the process.
• Deny – If delaying doesn’t work, they might deny your claim. Insurance policies can be confusing on purpose, and their agents may try to twist what happened in the accident. They could blame you, say you didn’t report it correctly, or claim you didn’t get medical help in time. The goal is to make you feel pressured into accepting a much lower settlement than you deserve.
• Defend – If you take them to court, the insurance company will use their resources to fight back. Lawsuits are expensive and risky, which can make it tough for you to keep going, even if your case is strong.

  In short, an insurance company has vast resources to employ these tactics against you. That’s part of the reason why it’s so important to work with our team. We have the experience and dedication to counter these tactics and protect your claim. But there’s a few things you can do to protect your claim as well.

How Can You Protect Your Claim After an Accident?

A big advantage you have when you file a claim is that you pretty much know how an insurance company is going to approach it–they’re going to use the above tactics to try to minimize what they pay you. So then, it’s up to you to take the right steps to protect your health and strengthen your claim. Here’s what you need to do, no matter what kind of accident you’re in:

• Stay calm – It’s natural to feel shaken after an accident, but try to stay calm so you can think clearly. This will help you remember important details and make better decisions.
• Get medical care – Your health comes first. Call 911 for immediate care and then follow up with a doctor for any further treatment. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, getting medical attention creates a record that can help support your claim.
• Report the accident – Once you’re safe, make sure to report the accident. For car accidents, notify the police. If it’s a dog bite or another type of incident, inform the responsible party, like the homeowner. This helps document the event and creates an official record.
• Gather evidence – If you can, take pictures or videos of the accident scene. Make sure to show the damage, injuries, and anything that might show what caused the accident. This will be crucial visual evidence for you.

Once your health and safety are taken care of, it’s time to think about your legal options. Whether you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, our team will be there to support and guide you.

Contact Ylla Gosney For Legal Support in Oklahoma

You never want to get hurt in an accident, but in Oklahoma, this is something that unfortunately is quite common. Whether it’s a car accident or a slip-and-fall, facing injuries and going up against an insurance company goes hand-in-hand with an accident. Our experienced personal injury lawyers and team can help you through this process and make sure your rights are fought for. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation and let us support your legal options.