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. 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. Insurance companies will use various tactics to fight your personal injury claim or lower the amount of the settlement. Here’s a list of the most common tactics:
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 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. 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. Drag Out A Case
Delaying the case is also a common tactic. The insurance company knows you need the money, 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. In Arizona, the statute of limitations on personal injury cases is 2 years. For some situations, the statute of limitations 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
It’s not uncommon for an adjuster to ask for a written or recorded statement to process your claim. This tactic is used to obtain information which may be against you to undervalue the claim. Phone conversations with your insurance company are often recorded. Anything you say may be used to reduce your claim. Be careful what you say to insurance adjusters. Claim adjusters work to protect the insurance company’s best interest not yours, regardless of what they tell you. It is not in your interest to provide a written or recorded statement to your insurance company without talking to a personal injury attorney.
5. Requiring Access to 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 to verify your injuries the insurance company must have copies of your medical records. It is highly 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 pre-existing conditions 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 record release forms.
6. Pressure To Accept A Quick Settlement
Insurance companies may offer you a quick settlement before you consult with a car accident attorney. The first offer is almost always less than the value of your claim. When you have been injured in an accident, it’s never in your best 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. Suggesting That a Lawyer Will Take All Your Money
You will likely 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 an attorney will just 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 likely increase the amount received from a settlement.
The Benefit 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 money you receive for your injury claim. An attorney knows the damages available for an injury claim and how to maximize the value of the settlement. An estimated 91% of people who hire a personal injury attorney won a settlement compared to just 51% who do not. In addition, the amount you receive could be 2-3 times higher with an attorney 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. 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}. 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.