How To Respond to a Low Settlement Dog Bite Offer
You can respond to a low settlement dog bite offer by referring the insurance company to your personal injury attorney, who can handle negotiations for fair compensation on your behalf. Dog bite cases can be complex. There are many laws and exceptions surrounding them that can make the case last a long time.
To avoid this, some dog owners try to settle these cases out of court with an insurance company. Unfortunately, some insurance companies look out for their interests and will try to offer you the lowest settlement possible. Working with our injury lawyers can ensure you don’t fall into this trap.
How Should You Respond to a Low Settlement Offer for a Dog Bite Injury?
You will need a fair settlement amount that covers all the above damages. However, in some cases, insurance companies could try to offer you a lower amount. First, you need to know that you do not need to accept this offer.
You can negotiate for a higher compensation that reimburses you for your damages. The following steps can help you deal with the situation better:
Remain Calm
The best thing to do after receiving a low settlement offer is to remain calm. Do not react in anger or hostility. It can be frustrating to deal with this situation, but it commonly happens.
Our attorney can help you navigate the matter.
Ask Questions
Reach out to the insurance company to find out why it offered you the settlement. You can ask adjusters questions to learn more about how they came up with the offer. They should be able to let you know the procedures they used to come to that conclusion.
Knowing their reasoning can help you decide how to respond to their settlement. For example, if a lack of adequate evidence is the reason for a low offer, you can gather more proof of your injuries and damages that you can use when making the counteroffer. Some of the evidence you can use to support your claim includes:
- Witness statements
- Third-party professionals
- Medical and police reports
- Updated medical expenses
- Evidence of lost income
- Rehabilitation costs
- Other dog bite-related expenses
Respond in Writing
Ensure you handle any correspondence with the other party in writing. Written correspondence will provide you with documentation you can use if your case proceeds to court. It ensures you have all their reasoning in writing that you can refer to when giving your counteroffer.
An attorney can also draft this letter for you, making sure it covers all the bases for your dog bite claim.
Do Not Give into Pressure
Some insurance companies can use intimidation tactics to pressure you into accepting the low offer. They might present it as the best offer you can get and tell you your chances of getting such a settlement are slim. This can make a person give in and accept an insurer’s initial offer.
You should, however, be aware that you are not legally obligated to accept any settlement an insurer offers. You can fight for yourself until you believe the amount you get fits the damages you incurred. Some of the insurance bad faith tactics you should be wary of include:
- Denying your claims
- Delaying the claims process
- Refusing to acknowledge your counteroffer
- Claiming that the amount is the most they have the authority to offer
You might have an urgent need for the money, and an insurance company could use that to its advantage. Do not show them that you are desperate for a settlement. Instead, write a letter stating that you do not accept their amount and list your reasons why in addition to the amount you think is fair.
What Damages Should a Dog Bite Settlement Cover?
Dog bite accidents are traumatic and can result in significant damages. In some cases, you might have serious injuries that require prompt medical attention. These wounds may require you to spend a lot of money on hospital bills, medication, and surgeries.
Other than the injuries, you might need to pay out of your pocket to repair property that suffered damage in the attack. It is the dog owner’s responsibility or the responsible party to reimburse you for these damages. They should offer you a sizable compensation that covers all damages from the attack.
Some of the damages you can receive include:
Economic Damages
These losses mainly affect your financial life. You can get the total amount of economic damages from your receipts and bills. Some of the economic damages the liable party should pay for include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Cost of repairing or replacing damaged property
- Reduced earning ability
- Cost of physical and psychological therapy
Non-Economic Damages
These non-financial losses affect your personal life, including your mental health. Dog bites can cause untold damages that are not easily calculable. Some of the non-economic damages include:
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Anxiety and depression
- Lost or reduced quality of life
Get a FREE Case Review by Calling The Hammer Now.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Dog Bite Injuries
Our dog bite lawyers have experience dealing with dog bite cases. Contacting them can ensure you protect your rights and interests as you request a fair settlement. Our lawyers also know the laws surrounding dog bite cases.
They will use this knowledge to negotiate with the other parties for your financial recovery. Some of the ways our attorneys can help you include:
- Collecting evidence of your dog bite damages
- Assessing the total worth of your damages
- Negotiating with the insurance claims adjuster for a settlement
- Offering you legal counsel throughout your case
- Presenting your case at trial if we cannot settle your case
They will do this for you without charging any upfront fees or costs, and you will not need to pay for any out-of-pocket expenses.
