Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements
Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements
Northwestern Phoenix Legal Services
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. 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. Blame the Victim
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. 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. Failing to seek prompt medical care leaves the door open for the insurance company to argue your injuries were from a previous accident.
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 to accept 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. 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 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 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 deny your claim. Be careful what you say to insurance adjusters. Adjusters work 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 without firsttalking to a personal injury lawyer.
5. Requiring 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 claim. The adjuster may tell you in order to verify your injuries the insurance company needs copies of your medical records. It is highly likely that the insurance company will obtain copies of your entire 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 conditions. Consult a personal injury attorney before signing any release forms.
6. Pressuring You For A Quick Settlement
The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement before you consult with a car accident attorney. The first offer is almost always lower than the value of your claim. If you have been injured, it’s never in your interest to settle an injury 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 attorney 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 attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing, and having legal representation will probably increase the amount you receive from a settlement.
Don’t Negotiate With Insurance Companies Without an Attorney
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 money you receive for your personal injury claim. An experienced attorney understands the damages available 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 lawyer receive a settlement compared to only 51% who did not. Futhermore, the amount you receive could be 2-3 times higher with a lawyer negotiating the settlement. If you’re 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?
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. 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.