A car accident can leave you physically, emotionally and financially drained. Under such circumstances, dealing with insurance companies can be daunting. You may feel pressured to accept an insurer’s settlement offer, but can you reject it?
It is well within your rights to reject a settlement offer that does not measure up to your damages. Insurance companies are legally obligated to settle claims fairly, but this does not always mean their first offer is the best.
Do not settle for less
Rejecting a settlement offer does not mean you will miss out on compensation. If you refuse an offer from the insurer, they will have to go back to the drawing board and work out an improved proposal.
You can even present a counteroffer of what you think is fair, considering the harm and losses you suffered from the crash.
Understand your legal options
Suppose you reject an offer and the insurer is unwilling to negotiate an improved settlement package. In such a case, you can explore other options, including taking the case to court. Here, a jury will listen to all the parties, review the available evidence and award the appropriate damages.
In most cases, insurers will want to avoid such an eventuality since they do not control the court’s decision. It is also worth noting that you have limited time to take your case to court. Certain legal deadlines apply to such claims, and you cannot seek legal redress in court if you go past them.
Get the necessary help
There is nothing wrong with accepting an early settlement offer as long as it’s fair and covers all your damages. Therefore, it is in your best interests to have an informed review of your claim to determine its worth and what you should expect in compensation.