Stalling is one of the most frustrating tactics used by adjusters in attempting to lower the settlement amount. A blunt response from your Michigan motorcycle accident attorney may force the adjuster to negotiate openly.
The carrot tactic
The carrot tactic is an especially vexing and unreasonable stalling technique used by claims adjusters. This happens when the adjuster still has not made a settlement offer after more than 30 or 60 days. The adjuster will explain that the claim is still in committee or being assessed at the home office, or must be retrieved from the supervisor’s desk. In fact, the adjuster is stalling with the carrot of an early settlement, hoping that your Michigan motorcycle accident attorney will continue to wait, perhaps for several weeks or months.
Your Michigan motorcycle accident attorney may respond to this delaying tactic is by bluntly asking for a straight answer from the adjuster. He may ask the following type of question: I am hoping that you are being sincere when you say that the claim is being evaluated in committee. Can you tell me a specific date on which I can expect receive a response to my offer for settlement?
Or, your attorney could just file suit.
What will you take?
The what will you take response is a common tactic for insurance adjusters and defense attorneys. After receiving your demand, they will call your injury attorney in a friendly, non confrontational manner, hinting at a desire to forego formalities of negotiation. He will recognize your demand and then ask what is necessary to settle the claim. The adjuster’s intention is to get your attorney to show your bottom line or close to it.
A good faith reply to such a question almost never results in a reasonable settlement. The adjuster resorts to this tactic in order to have your injury attorney significantly reduce your demand, and lessen the possibility of a high-value settlement. The what will you take method is designed to get your attorney to shift from the initial request for settlement to a bottom-line figure, forcing you to bid against yourself. But, the lower you go during negotiations, the lower the potential courthouse settlement will be.
Your Michigan motorcycle accident attorney can effectively respond to this technique by saying that you will gladly take the requested amount for settlement (or more) if they are ready to offer it. The attorney can underscore the seriousness of the original letter of demand and that you need to receive an offer before negotiating any lower.
If you were injured in an accident, you need legal counsel from a knowledgeable Michigan motorcycle accident attorney . Call the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at 1-800-961-8477 for legal representation following a free initial consultation on your case.