BASE: The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evaluation Formula
PROCEEDING FORWARD WITH THE BASE FORMULA: You have photographs of the injuries you sustained plus of the skid marks left by Fuddles van and there's no question that he's 100% responsible for the accident! Those 3 facts alone place your claim slightly above the area of the "CORE VALUE" of $7,200. The fact that the accident caused you to lose 6 days from work, plus the fact that Fuddle was cited for "Dangerous Driving" (plus Doc Comforts Medical Report clearly states you sustained a "Whiplash Injury") raises you even further up into the area of the "MEAN VALUE" of $8,400. Your settlement demand should always be a little over twice that figure or (in this particular situation - - as detailed above) $17,000.00 (plus your provable Property Damages)!
Adjuster Smart will hem, haw and splutter but you must stick to your guns. As described above the personal injury portion of your claim is worth a minimum of $8,400. Don't let him con you into anything less than that.
And, if you're willing to fight him right to the last shot (with the positive variables working for you - - as detailed above) you should be able to settle your loss for close to ten thousand dollars - - plus your Motor Vehicle and wrist watch Property Damage's.
ANSWER: Always show the adjuster that you're willing to negotiate in "Good Faith". The first rule of bargaining is: Do not lower your demand until the adjuster makes a counter-offer. You should never forget you're the "Seller" and the adjuster is the "Buyer".
Most of the time an adjuster's counter-offer, especially his first one, is negotianable. Your response should be,"Is that your maximum authority?" Now you're asking him to bid against him self and you've not committed to a lower figure than your initial demand. Adjusters are all assigned a heavy workload of new claims each month. Because of this they are continually working to close as many files as possible, just to stay even! They're under heavy pressure to settle your claim - - to get rid of you and move on! People aren't aware of the advantage this holds for them.
During the difficult days (or months) of dealing with Adjuster I. M. Smart never allow the thought's of a trial come foolishly stumbling into the gray matter between your ears, to trip you up. Cases are decided on the evidence. When reviewing cases before them judges never use the phrase, "The truth of the matter is". But rather they say, "The evidence shows". You've got the evidence and both Smart, and his supervisors at the insurance company, know that to be true. Hang in there and don't give up because THE BASE FORMULA has provided you with what you need to get the amount of settlement dollars you deserve.
Copyright (c) 2005 by Daniel G. Baldyga All Rights Reserved
Dan Baldyga's fourth and latest book Auto Accident Personal Injury Insuraece Claim: (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the Internet at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com. This book reveals "How To" successfully handle your motor vehicle accident claim, so you won't be taken advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding the revolutionary BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evaluation Formula). THE BASE FORMULA explains how to determine the value of the "Pain and Suffering" you endured because of your personal injury.
DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this claim tip is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga, Vince Ciulla nor About.com make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUAL'S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.