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. Sadly, insurance companies are not there to help, frequently fighting claims to avoid payouts. It’s critical to be prepared before discussing your case with an insurance adjuster 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 your insurance company tries to claim you are at fault, hire a personal injury lawyer to represent your case.
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. Drag Out A 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. 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 tactic is used to obtain information which may be against you to deny the claim. Your conversations with the insurance company are usually recorded whether they tell you or not. Anything you say may be used to reduce your 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 give a written or recorded statement to an adjuster without talking to a personal injury attorney.
5. Requiring Access to Your 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 claim. The adjuster may tell you in order 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 pre-existing conditions are responsible for your injury. There are laws that prevent insurance companies from denying claims based on prior injuries or conditions. Consult a personal injury attorney before signing any record release forms.
6. Pressuring You For A Quick Settlement
Insurance companies may offer you a quick settlement before you have a chance to consult with a personal injury lawyer. The first offer is almost always lower than the value of your claim. When you have been injured in an accident, it’s not in your interest to settle a personal claim before medical treatment is completed. The extent of your injuries may not be fully known until a doctor releases you from treatment.
7. Discouraging You From Contacting a Lawyer
You will likely be discouraged from contacting an accident injury attorney by the Insurance Company. The claims adjuster may tell you the settlement does not require a lawyer or that an attorney will take all the money. However, the truth is, most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing up front, and having legal representation will likely increase the amount you receive from a settlement.
The Advantage of Having a Personal Injury Attorney
You may believe you can negotiate with your insurance company without a lawyer. However, hiring an lawyer could increase the amount of the settlement you receive from your injury claim. An attorney understands the monetary damages available 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 lawyer receive a settlement compared to only 51% who did not. Futhermore, the amount received could be 2-3 times higher with a lawyer negotiating the settlement. If you are 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. Contact 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.
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Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.