How Post-Accident Negotiations Can Hit a Snag

After you’ve been in a car accident, there are several steps you need to follow. As you work through these steps, you will need to negotiate with a lot of people. These negotiations may not always go your way, so it’s important to know what snags you may hit and how to work around them.

The Other Party is Uncooperative

Your troubles may begin immediately following the accident. Sometimes the other party is simply unwilling to cooperate. They may refuse to talk to you or negotiate with you. Perhaps they aren’t even willing to discuss insurance. If the other party is not cooperating, you need to take action to protect yourself. The first thing you should do is protect the evidence of the accident. Try to preserve the scene as much as possible. For example, try not to move the cars unless absolutely necessary. Take pictures and talk with any witnesses. Evidence will help you make an insurance claim. You should also call the police. They can file an official report that will discuss fault and you can use this report when you make your insurance claim.

The Insurance Company Refuses to Pay

Working with insurance companies can also be tricky. This is especially true if you are trying to receive payment from the insurance company of the other driver when they are at fault. Insurance companies will take their time working through a case and they may even refuse payment. An attorney can help you win a settlement from insurance companies that refuse to pay. When you bring in an attorney, this shows the insurance company that you mean business and they are more likely to comply. Additionally, attorneys are well-versed in the tactics insurance companies use and they can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Both Parties Can’t Agree on a Settlement

After an accident, both parties will typically discuss how they will handle the situation moving forward. Typically, this includes agreeing to file an insurance claim. However, there are cases where both parties do not agree to this. For example, the at-fault party may push to leave insurance out of it and instead settle with a cash payment. The other party may prefer to have insurance cover the cost of repairs and injuries. Just remember, that you have the right to file a claim if you wish and you should do your best to get the other party’s insurance information.

Accidents can be stressful even after they’ve happened. Dealing with the repercussions through negotiations can take quite some time, especially if problems arise. Make sure you understand common problems so you know how to work through them.

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