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
You’ve heard the stories, a friend has been injured in an auto accident, a slip and fall injury, a workplace injury, all your friend wants is fair treatment from their insurance company. Unfortunately for accident victims, insurance companies fight personal injury claims to avoid paying money. It’s critical to be prepared before discussing your case with an insurance adjuster In this article, Phoenix personal injury lawyers provide tips and reveal common tactics used by insurance companies to minimize settlement 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 insurance company can convince a jury that you were partially, or completely, at fault, your compensation can be reduced by a proportionate amount. If your insurance company tries to claim you are at fault, hire a personal injury lawyer to represent your case.
2. Deny Claims Due To Delayed Medical Care
Prompt medical care is essential for your personal injury claim. Discuss any symptoms with a doctor to ensure that injuries are documented for the claim. If you do not seek prompt medical care, the insurance company may argue the accident did not cause your injury.
3. Drag Out A Case
Dragging out the case benefits the insurance company. Dragging out the case delays the settlement, so delays put pressure on you to accept 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. There are exceptions to the statute of limitations that may increase or decrease the time to file a claim. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to avoid a problem.
4. Requiring Recorded or Written Statements
A claims adjuster may ask you to provide a written or recorded statement to process your claim. This tactic is used to obtain information to use 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. Claim adjusters work to protect the insurance company’s interest not yours, regardless of what they tell you. It is never in your best interest to provide a written or recorded statement without firsttalking to a personal injury attorney.
5. Requiring Access to Your Medical Records
Another common tactic is to request a medical records release to gather evidence that may be used to deny or lower the value of your claim. The adjuster may tell you to verify your injuries the insurance company needs copies of your medical records. It is highly 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 they are responsible for your injury. There are laws that prevent insurance companies from denying claims based on prior injuries or pre-existing conditions. Talk to a personal injury lawyer before signing any release forms.
6. Pressuring You For A Quick Settlement
The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement before you have a chance to consult with a car accident attorney. The first offer is almost always less than the value of your claim. When you have been injured, it’s never in your best 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 an Attorney Will Take All Your Money
You will almost always be discouraged from consulting a personal injury lawyer by the Insurance Company. The claims adjuster may suggest the settlement does not require an attorney or that an attorney will take all your money. However, in reality, most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing, and in fact legal representation will probably increase the amount you receive from a settlement.
Don’t Negotiate With Insurance Companies Without a Lawyer
You might think that you do not need a personal injury lawyer and can get a settlement on your own. However, hiring an attorney could increase the amount of the settlement you receive from your injury claim. An experienced attorney understands the damages that may be obtained for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of the settlement. In a recent article, it was estimated that 91% of people represented by a personal injury attorney won a settlement compared to just 51% who did not. Futhermore, the amount you receive could be 2-3 times more with a lawyer negotiating the settlement. If you were injured due to someone else’s actions in Phoenix or the surrounding communities, and you’re dealing with an insurance company, don’t go it alone. Call a car accident or personal injury lawyer.
What About Criminal, DUI, or Family Law Cases?
While much of the same advice applies when facing criminal charges, DUI charges, or a family dispute in Arizona, personal injury law is unique in that you are fighting for monetary compensation. As a result, almost all personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid when you do. There is no out of pocket expense to you However, other than personal injury law, you are likely to have to dig deep to pay for a criminal defense, family law, or DUI attorney. 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}. Below is a shortlist of area criminal defense, DUI, and family law attorneys in the Phoenix area to start your search.
Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.