What happens when you reject an insurance settlement offer?

When receiving a settlement offer, it is just that – an offer. If you do not believe it is fair or meets your expectations, you can reject the offer, returning you to the negotiation process. Your rejection of an offer should include a counteroffer, which is usually higher than their settlement but may be lower than your original claim.

The specifics of your case are critical here. As a result, you should speak to your Orlando personal injury lawyers and learn more about what happens when you reject an insurance settlement offer. We do not recommend settling an offer quickly or without the guidance of an attorney who can help minimize your risk of not getting the compensation the insurance company owes you.

What happens if I reject a settlement offer because it is too low?

Rejecting a settlement that is too low kicks off an intense negotiation process with the goal of both parties accepting the settlement.

When negotiating through a counteroffer, it helps to provide verified facts and additional information to support your claim. This may include more details, medical records, or other data that can help bolster the authenticity of your compensation claim. It can be difficult for an insurance company to continue to refute your claim and deny you compensation at the level you expect when there is evidence to support your claim. Your attorney may include items such as:

• Hospital admissions records
• Medical records indicating the extensiveness of your injuries
• Physical therapy session documentation
• Documentation of treatments received
• Documentation of complications from the care provided
• Prognosis information from medical and injury-specific experts

Any documents you can offer during this counteroffer may show the insurance company you are serious about the claim. In each situation, the insurance company will carefully review the offer’s details. They will try to align their settlement offer with the costs you present. This is easy to do for economic losses because you have records and a medical bill to show the loss.

Proving that the insurance makes it impossible for you to return to work or maintain a high quality of life is challenging. It may require careful consideration of your losses. The more documentation and information you can present to the insurance company during this process, the better.

What happens if you reject a settlement offer again?

Rejecting a settlement offer always carries the risk of the insurance company saying no. That is, they may deny the claim at any other level of compensation. This is more likely to occur if you do not fully document your losses. It also leads to an increased risk of litigation.

Litigation, or filing a lawsuit against the liable party or insurance company, is a good process. There are times when the insurance company is simply not willing to bend. They may need to be more reasonable or willing to work with you.

Seeking compensation through a lawsuit takes longer and may involve more costs. Having a personal injury attorney available to help you through the legal process also becomes even more critical. Even with these requirements, lawsuits are not uncommon. They may be necessary to pursue fair and total compensation for your losses.

How do you settle litigation?

In litigation, a judge or jury decides liability. They make the decisions related to compensation for you as well. This often occurs after several steps, including depositions by all parties, investigations by all parties, presentation of evidence, and deliberations. In many situations, lawsuits lead to higher settlements. Other times, it does not.

During this litigation process, evidence may favor a larger settlement. The insurance company may decide to increase a settlement offer to you. They may try to pursue negotiations again. This can be acceptable if it meets your objectives moving forward.

Refrain from accepting a settlement offer. If it is unfair and does not help you become whole again, it is best to work with your attorney to move negotiations forward.

Schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorney to discuss your case.

When you reject an insurance settlement offer, you open the door for conversations and negotiations. Allow our personal injury attorneys in Orlando to help you further your case. Our goal is always to offer clear evidence and demonstrate compensation owed to you. We fight for our clients.

Schedule a free consultation with DWK Law now to discuss your case. Call us at (407) 244-3000 to learn how we can help you.