In these economic times, money in the pocket means much. Insurance companies understand this theory and will use it to their advantage when attempting to settle a particular case. On most occasions, the first offer from an insurance adjusters will be a “low ball” offer in hopes that the injured party’s attorney will accept it. The insurance adjuster knows that the attorney is required under the State Bar Rules to communicate all offers to the client. Most clients really do not know the value of their case, especially when liability factors are taken into account. If liability against the other party is strong, then I always recommend to my client not to accept the offer. I counsel them to be PATIENT as the offer in many occasions will go up in time. For instance, if a certain adjuster makes their final offer and the offer is still too low, I recommend to my client not to accept and to cause my office to file suit on their behalf. Once suit is filed and the lawsuit served upon the defendant, this produces a couple of reactions. First, the defendant, knowing he or she is at fault for the accident, may become angry at the insurance adjuster for not resolving the case short of litigation. Secondly, the insurance carrier may change the adjuster handling the case. I have had on occasion a new adjuster call me and offer a much greater sum to resolve the case. If this does not produce the result we are looking for, then should my client perform well at their deposition, the offer increases. There have been many times that I have had offers double or even tripled after a lawsuit was filed and served — all of this occurring within 6 months!! Not bad when you consider that my client gets at least double the recovery in that time frame. I doubt if he or she would be able to that had he or she taken the first offer and invested that money.
In short, be patient, don’t jump at the first offer, and let me do my job so that I can get you what you deserve. I handle all catastrophic injury matters throughout the State of California. Please visit my website by clicking here should you wish to contact me.
