In many cases, a person injured through the negligence of a vehicle driver or a property owner does not receive a reasonable settlement offer from the insurance company. Personal injury attorneys in Norfolk, VA know the steps to take to convince insurers to pay what an injured individual deserves.
The law firm may need to use the services of other professionals to establish a case or provide a more solid foundation for the existing case. That may involve having a private investigator discover more about the incident, for example. It may also require hiring an expert witness or two. An expert witness may reconstruct the accident scene or provide confirmation about a specific type of injury. For instance, if the insurer doesn’t accept the claim that the person is dealing with post-traumatic stress, a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist can verify this issue.
Another step required by personal injury attorneys in Norfolk, VA is for the client not to discuss the case with anyone, particularly with the insurance company. The person should not discuss the case on social media. It’s also important not to convey the impression that the injury isn’t all that serious. When trying to acquire a substantial settlement from an insurance company for a serious injury, the person should not be posting pictures online playing tennis or doing other vigorous activities because someone who is claiming a serious back injury must not be seen carrying heavy objects.
Sometimes an injured person starts feeling better and decides to quit going to doctor appointments or to skip sessions with the physical therapist. This can lead the insurance company to decide the claimant was not injured as badly as reported. The individual must go to all appointments as scheduled or risk having the claim denied or the insurer refusing to negotiate a higher settlement. It’s important to keep a thorough log of experiences throughout the recovery process.
A firm such as the W. Ware Morrison Law Group is available to help people who have received a settlement offer that seems too low. See the website for particulars and learn how to schedule a free initial consultation.