How Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Your Claim
Those who suffer accident injuries want nothing more than to move on from the traumatizing experiences they have been through. It is unfortunate that accident victims are subjected to excessive paperwork, long phone calls and repetitive interrogations because of insurance company tactics.
Keep in mind that insurance companies want to make a profit, so they will not readily pay out on an injury liability claim. Many of these claims can drag on for a long time without being resolved.
Delay, Delay, Delay
In this imaginary scenario, let’s say you broke your back in a car accident and are dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company. You’ve been in the hospital and had surgery but know your injuries are ongoing and you might need more procedures and certainly more visits to your doctor. In California there is a two-year statute of limitations on a personal injury case. Keep that in mind.
The insurance company avoids your calls, makes up excuses for not settling your claim and it just drags on and on. If they manage to drag paying your claim until the statute of limitations has almost expired, you have no recourse but to settle for whatever they offer. You’ve lost your right to take them to court.
You’re Pushed to Accept an Early Settlement
Another tactic is using your desperation. If a serious injury occurs and you can’t work, it doesn’t take long before the bills you owe become frightening. This is something the insurance industry commonly counts on. By getting you to settle early on, you sign away your rights for further compensation. Then you can be in real trouble as the medical bills keep mounting or your injury turns out to be worse than you initially thought. An injury lawyer knows that it is better to be patient and wait until all the medical expenses are added up, or if they are expected to continue into the future, he/she can calculate what those additional costs will be and add them to the settlement.
The Insurance Company Asks for Access to Your Medical Records
By having access to your medical records, the insurance company can point to an old injury or medical treatment and try to deny or lower your compensation. They may say your injury is due to a pre-existing condition or accuse you of being misleading about the extent of your injuries. A lawyer would prevent the insurance company from accessing your medical records and knows how to combat unfounded accusations that may be placed.
How an Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Insurance Claim
Your injury lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you are treated fairly. The lawyer can handle the claim for you so that you don’t have to deal with unwarranted delays and can protect your medical records from intrusive eyes. In addition, your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company in your stead, so you can reach the best possible outcome. If an agreement cannot be made that is fair, the case can be taken to civil court.
It has been shown that those who use a lawyer usually receive at least twice what they would have if they had handled the claim alone. In addition, a personal injury lawyer works on a contingency basis. This means you owe the lawyer nothing until your case has been won. By handling the insurance claim, the injured party can concentrate on getting well without the additional strain of dealing with an insurance adjuster.
Roseville Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville personal injury lawyer. When you’ve been injured by a negligent driver or other entity, you will probably be dealing with their insurance company. You are welcome to contact us for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or by calling (800) 404-5400. You can also message us online if you prefer.
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Photo attribution: Photo by Karolina Grabowska
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