If you were injured in an Owings Mills Uber accident, you will likely face a settlement negotiation. The purpose of this process is to determine how much money you will receive to cover your losses, and these negotiations are incredibly important. They could affect your quality of life for the rest of your days. How should you approach it? What happens during this process? These are questions you might want to ask a personal injury lawyer in Maryland.
Why Do I Have to Negotiate an Uber Accident Claim?
Unlike other States, there is no obligation to settle your Uber accident claim at the negotiation table in Maryland. If you are intent on pursuing a personal injury trial, you are within your rights to do so. That being said, you should know that most civil cases are settled out of court. Trials are relatively rare, and most plaintiffs choose to accept settlements instead of going to court. Trials are inherently unpredictable, and there is no way to tell how much you’ll receive from a jury. This is also a time-consuming process, while settlement negotiations are relatively quick.
What Happens During an Uber Accident Settlement Negotiation?
While settlement negotiations may be resolved relatively quickly, they generally involve plenty of back-and-forth. During this process, you will likely interact with someone called an “insurance adjuster.” According to Insurance Journal, Uber has a “captive insurance” subsidiary – which means it owns the same insurance company (Aleka Insurance) that pays out your settlement. In other words, your negotiations will involve only Uber employees. Even if the insurance company has a different name than Uber, it is under the “umbrella” of their corporate structure.
Due to obvious financial incentives, Uber’s representatives will try to limit the cost of the accident as much as possible. This means offering you the lowest possible settlement they think they can get away with. It is your job to push back against these offers as you fight for enough compensation to cover your injuries.
Expect an exceedingly low, almost insulting first offer. These lowball offers are industry-standard, and you should never accept them. This is one of the many reasons to enlist the help of an experienced lawyer during settlement negotiations with Uber. A lawyer can help you spot lowball offers and reject them.
Your lawyer can also push back with supporting evidence, compelling arguments, and other strategies as they fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Most plaintiffs choose to work with experienced Uber accident lawyers for this reason.
Can a Maryland Uber Accident Lawyer Help Me Negotiate?
Before you begin the settlement negotiation process, consider a consultation with an experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer. These legal professionals can assess your unique situation and determine how much you should receive for your injuries. They can also help you push back against lowball offers and fight for a fair sum. Call Furman Honick Law today and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.
Sources:
insurancejournal.com/news/national/2019/04/15/523702.htm
coverager.com/the-uber-of-insurance/