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
We've all been there, an auto accident, slip & fall, or another personal injury, all you want is fair compensation from your 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. 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
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
It is essential that you seek medical care promptly afer an accident. 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
Dragging out the case benefits the insurance company. 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. 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 to use against you to undervalue the claim. Your conversations with the insurance company are often recorded whether they tell you or not. Anything you say can be used against you to reduce your claim. 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 without talking to a personal injury attorney.
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 personal injury claim. The adjuster might tell you to verify your injuries the insurance company must have copies of your medical records. It is highly probable that the insurance company will obtain copies of your full 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 lawyer before signing any record release forms.
6. Pressuring You For A Quick Settlement
Insurance companies may offer you a quick settlement before you consult with a personal injury lawyer. 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 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. 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 tell you the settlement does not require an attorney or that a lawyer will just take all your money. However, in reality, most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing, and having legal representation will probably increase the amount received from a settlement.
The Advantage of Having a Personal Injury Lawyer
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 for your injury claim. An attorney understands the damages available for an injury claim and they know 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 only 51% who did not. In addition, the amount received could be 2-3 times higher with an attorney 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. 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.
Personal Injury Table of Contents
Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.