Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements
Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements
Pulling Back The Curtain on Tactics Used By Insurance Companies to Reduce Settlements
We've all been there, an auto accident, slip & fall, or another personal injury, all you want is fair compensation from your insurance company. Unfortunately for accident victims, insurance companies fight personal injury claims to avoid paying money. If you are not prepared before contacting your insurance company or meeting with an adjuster, you may very well walk away empty-handed. In a recent article Phoenix personal injury lawyers pulled back the curtain on the tactics used by insurance companies to reduce the payout to settle claims. Before you discuss your claim with any insurance company, claims adjuster, or agent, you should be aware of the tricks insurance companies use to fight your personal injury claim and lower their payout. Some of the most common tactics are:
1. Shifting the Blame
It’s not uncommon for an insurance adjuster to attempt to shift the blame to you for the accident. Insurance companies will try to avoid liability for the accident by suggesting you are at fault If the case goes to trial, and the insurance company can convince a jury that you were even partially at fault, they can reduce the amount of the claim paid to you. If the insurance company suggests you are partially at fault for your injury, hire a personal injury lawyer immediately.
2. Denial of Claim Due To Delayed Medical Care
Prompt medical care is essential for your personal injury claim. Document any injuries or symptoms with a doctor for your claim. If you do not seek prompt medical care, the insurance company may argue the accident did not cause your injury.
3. Delaying The Case
Dragging out the case benefits the insurance company. The insurance company knows you need the money, so delays put pressure on you for a quick settlement. But they may also attempt to delay the case to create a statute of limitations defense. For most cases, the statute of limitations on personal injury is 2 years. For some situations, the statute of limitations may increase or decrease the time to file a claim. It’s best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to avoid a problem.
4. Requiring Written Statements
A claims adjuster may ask you to provide a written or recorded statement to process your claim. This common tactic is used to obtain information which may be against you to deny the claim. Your conversations with the insurance company are often recorded whether they tell you or not. Anything you say may be used to reduce your claim. Adjusters work to protect the insurance company’s best interest not yours, regardless of what they tell you. It is never in your interest to give a written or recorded statement to your insurance company without firsttalking to a personal injury lawyer.
5. Requiring Access to Medical Records
A common tactic is to request a medical records release to gather evidence that may be used to deny or lower the value of your personal injury claim. The adjuster might tell you to verify your injuries the insurance company needs copies of your medical records. It is very probable that the insurance company will use the release to obtain copies of your entire medical history to search for prior injuries and argue that pre-existing conditions are responsible for your injury. There are laws that prevent insurance companies from denying claims based on prior injuries or pre-existing conditions. Consult a personal injury lawyer before signing any record release forms.
6. Pressure To Accept A Quick Settlement
The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement before you have a chance to consult with a car accident lawyer. But the offer amount is probably much lower than the value of your claim. If you have been injured, it’s not in your interest to settle a personal claim before medical treatment is completed. The full extent of your injuries may not be fully known until a doctor releases you from treatment.
7. Suggesting That a Lawyer Will Take All Your Money
You will almost always be discouraged from contacting a personal injury lawyer by the Insurance Company. The claims adjuster may tell you the settlement does not require an attorney or that an attorney will just take all your money. However, the truth is, most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing, and in fact legal representation will likely increase the amount received from a settlement.
The Benefit of Having a Personal Injury Lawyer
You might think that you do not need a personal injury lawyer and can get a settlement on your own. However, hiring an lawyer could increase the amount of the settlement you receive from your personal injury claim. An attorney understands the monetary damages that may be obtained for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of the settlement. An estimated 91% of people who hire a personal injury attorney receive a settlement compared to just 51% who did not. In addition, the amount received could be two to three times higher with an attorney negotiating the settlement. If you are injured due to someone else’s actions in Phoenix or the surrounding communities, and you’re your insurance company is resisting a settlement, don’t go it alone. Contact a car accident or personal injury lawyer.
What About Criminal, DUI, or Family Law Cases?
What’s the difference between personal injury lawyers and criminal defense or family law lawyers? Personal injury lawyers fight to get you paid, criminal defense and family law fight for your feedom. Because of that fact it is quite common for personal injury lawyers to work on a contingency basis, taking their compensation out of the settlement and not your pocket. Unfortunately, for almost all other practice areas you’ll most likely have to dig deep into your pockets. Since freedom is on the line and you most likely will pay dearly for it, you should make sure you find an attorney or lawyer experienced in the predicament you find yourself|If you are paying for it, you’ll want to find a best criminal defense lawyer, DUI lawyer, or family law or divorce lawyer that best suits your circumstances}. Here is a list of Phoenix area criminal defense, family law, and DUI lawyers in the Phoenix valley and surrounding areas to get you started.
Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.