Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements
Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements
Neighborhood Personal Injury Lawyers
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. Sadly, insurance companies are not there to help, frequently fighting claims to avoid payouts. If you are not prepared before contacting your insurance company or meeting with an adjuster, you may very well walk away empty-handed. 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
This is a common tactic. Don’t be surprised if the insurance claims adjuster attempts to shift the blame for the accident to you. Blaming the victim is a common tactic to avoid liability for a car accident or another personal injury. 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. Deny Claims 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
Delaying the case is also a common tactic. Dragging out the case delays the settlement, so delays put pressure on you for a quick settlement. The insurance company may also delay the case to create a statute of limitation 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. 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 common tactic is used to obtain information which may be against you to undervalue the claim. Your conversations with the insurance company are often recorded whether they tell you or not. Anything you say may be used to hurt your claim. Be careful what you say to insurance adjusters. Claim adjusters are working to protect the insurance company’s interest not yours, regardless of what they tell you. It is not in your best interest to provide a written or recorded statement to an adjuster without firsttalking to a personal injury attorney.
5. Asking You For Access to Your Medical Records
Another common tactic is to request a medical records release to gather evidence that can be used to lower the value of your personal injury claim. The adjuster may tell you in order to verify your injuries the insurance company needs copies of your medical records. It is very likely that the insurance company will use the release to obtain copies of your full medical history to search for prior injuries and argue that they are responsible for your injury. It is unlawful for insurance companies to deny 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
Insurance companies may offer you a quick settlement before you have a chance to consult with a car accident lawyer. The first offer is almost always lower than the value of your claim. If you have been injured in an accident, it’s not 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 all medical treatment has been completed.
7. Discouraging You From Contacting a Lawyer
You will almost always be discouraged from contacting an accident injury lawyer by the Insurance Company. The claims adjuster may suggest the settlement does not require a lawyer or that a lawyer will take all your money. However, in reality, most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing up front, and having 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 money you receive for your injury claim. An experienced attorney understands the damages that may be obtained for an injury claim and how to maximize the value of your settlement. In a recent article, it was estimated that 91% of people represented by a personal injury attorney receive a settlement compared to just 51% who do not. Futhermore, the amount received could be 2-3 times higher with a lawyer negotiating the settlement. If you are injured due to negligence on the part of someone else in Phoenix or the surrounding communities, and you’re your insurance company is resisting a settlement, don’t go it alone. Call 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. 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.