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 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. 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 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. Denial of Claim Due To Delayed Medical Care
It is essential that you seek medical care promptly afer an accident. Discuss any symptoms with a doctor to ensure that injuries are documented for the 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. 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 Written Statements
It’s not uncommon for an adjuster to ask for a written or recorded statement for the insurance company to process your claim. This tactic is used to obtain information to use against you to undervalue the claim. Phone conversations with your insurance company are usually recorded. Anything you say can be used against you to deny your claim. Be careful what you say to insurance adjusters. Claim adjusters are working 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 lawyer.
5. Asking You For 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 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 attorney before signing any record release forms.
6. Pressure To Accept A Quick Settlement
The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement before you consult with a personal injury attorney. The first offer is almost always lower 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 extent of your injuries may not be known until a doctor releases you from treatment.
7. Suggesting That an Attorney Will Take All Your Money
You will likely be discouraged from contacting a personal injury lawyer by the Insurance Company. The claims adjuster may suggest the settlement does not require a lawyer or that an attorney will take all your money. However, in reality, most personal injury attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing up front, and in fact legal representation will likely 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 the settlement you receive for your personal injury claim. An experienced attorney knows the damages available for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of your settlement. An estimated 91% of people who hire a personal injury attorney won a settlement compared to only 51% who do not. In fact, the amount you receive could be two to three 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 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?
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. Unfortunately, for almost all other practice areas you’ll most likely have to dig deep into your pockets. 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.