As a Kansas City personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of experience, I’ve been asked more than a thousand times what my options are if the insurance company makes a low settlement offer or needlessly delays your case. It’s a common frustration, and something I explain to nearly every client. Here’s what I tell them when this happens.
Step 1: Confirm Whether It’s Truly a Low Settlement Offer
Before assuming the insurance company is lowballing you, make sure you know the fair value of your claim. I always welcome calls about case value, and many other Kansas City personal injury attorneys do, too.
You might think you’re getting a low offer when, in reality, it’s within the fair settlement range for your case. If you are truly being lowballed, negotiate a few rounds to determine whether it’s their final offer. If the offer remains low, your next step may be to file a lawsuit and pursue a money judgment to recover what you deserve. Either way it’s good to Understand the Personal Injury Settlement Process.
Step 2: Address Delays or Unresponsiveness from the Insurance Company
If the insurance company is ignoring your calls or delaying your claim, this is often a deliberate tactic, and you will probably need to have a lawyer deal with them. They may be hoping you give up or that the statute of limitations expires. That way, they won’t have to pay anything. Here’s Why You Should Talk to a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer Before Speaking to the Insurance Company.
An experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer can sometimes step in and demand action. In some cases, your attorney can set the insurance company up for a bad faith claim or other extra-contractual damages. Threatening their profits is often the most effective way to get their attention.
Step 3: Protect Your Rights with Legal Representation
If you’re getting the run-around from an insurance company, don’t go through it alone. Our team at Meyerkord, Russell & Hergott focuses on maximizing the value of every case. We have the experience and techniques to push back against lowball offers and needless delays, and we’re ready to help you.
Contact MRH Law
If the insurance company is delaying your claim or offering a low settlement, contact our team at Meyerkord, Russell & Hergott today. We’ll review your situation and help you understand the best next steps. Contact us for a free consultation.