When you file a personal injury claim after being injured in a car crash, you may think the insurance companies are looking out for you. You might expect them to quickly reach a settlement and provide you with rightful compensation for your injuries and damages. Unfortunately, this isn’t typically the case.
Insurance companies are out to maximize corporate profits, which translates into paying you the least amount of compensation possible. Insurance claims adjusters are professional negotiators and know the tactics and tricks to get you to accept a lesser settlement offer than what you deserve.
Getting injured from a motor vehicle collision can leave you in a tough financial position between costly vehicle repairs, lost wages while you’re recovering, and expensive medical bills to add on top. As a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney, Sandene Law wants to remind you that you are entitled to full compensation for your injuries – even if insurance makes you believe that you should settle for less.
To ensure you can receive maximum compensation for your personal injury claim, here are some ways that insurance companies try to take advantage of your situation for the sake of their own profit.
1. Convincing You Not to Hire an Attorney
From the beginning, if the insurance company’s claim adjusters start to discourage you from hiring a personal injury attorney, this might be a sign that they’re trying to take advantage of you.
During your initial interactions, they may make statements about how it’s unnecessary for you to go out and hire an attorney, and that it will be a simple process that you can handle on your own without taking further legal action.
In nearly every personal injury case, it can be worthwhile to at least consult with a personal injury attorney before you begin negotiations with the insurance company. Even if you don’t end up hiring them, many such law firms will offer a free consultation and provide you with professional guidance on how to best proceed. An attorney can be your best bet when you want to protect your legal rights and receive full compensation, so don’t let insurers convince you that they’re on your side and that getting a lawyer involved is unnecessary.
2. Leading You to Admit Fault
Another way that insurance companies can try to undermine your claim is by getting you to admit fault–at least partially–for the crash. If they reach out requesting a statement after you initially file your personal injury claim, do not provide them with any such statement without first consulting with a lawyer.
They will be looking for ways to misconstrue your words and stretch your statement to fit their position. Even if the insurance company tries to rush you into providing them with a formal statement under the guise that it will lead to a quicker payout, make sure you meet with a lawyer first so you can avoid giving them more of an upper hand in your case than they already have.
3. Downplaying Your Injuries
Another way insurance companies will try to lessen the compensation you’re entitled to is by downplaying the extent of your injuries during negotiations.
To help avoid this, make sure to see a medical care provider you trust to get a thorough and documented evaluation of your injuries. This is especially important for any latent injuries that may not develop right away and require more in-depth testing for proper detection. Outside of insurance negotiations, this will help you avoid the further worsening of your injuries in the long term if you receive proper treatment from the onset.
These detailed medical records will also back your claim with solid evidence from a licensed professional. They will work to support the amount of compensation you are requesting to cover any medical bills, future expected treatments, and pain and suffering from the injuries.
4. Requesting All Medical Records
After filing your claim, insurers may tell you to send over all your medical records so they can review your case and help reach a quicker settlement. But, this isn’t quite the truth.
Don’t send all your records right away, and instead work with your attorney to determine which records are actually relevant to your claim and will help you maintain your personal privacy. Otherwise, insurance companies may search for reasons to deny you coverage and further downplay your injuries, as we discussed above.
5. Making a Lowball Initial Offer
Lastly, insurance companies may make you an initial settlement offer that is much lower than what you requested to prime negotiations in their favor. They likely won’t provide you with their best offer at the beginning and are hoping you will accept a much lower offer without further questions or negotiations.
Especially in the case of a devastating car crash, victims may not want to endure a lengthy negotiation process and want a quick payout to help cover their financial losses. Insurance companies are aware of both of these factors and are hoping that you’ll be happy to walk away with their initial offer.
No matter how low of a settlement amount they offer, remember that you are entitled to full compensation for your injuries and economic damages. Don’t just accept the initial offer and work with a lawyer in Colorado Springs to negotiate for the compensation you deserve.
Why You Should Hire an Auto Accident Attorney
When you’ve been injured at the hands of a negligent driver, the only true advocate you’ll have for your legal rights is a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will represent your best interests and negotiate with insurance until you reach a fair settlement.
When you’re working with an experienced Colorado law firm, like Sandene Law, they have experience negotiating such cases and understand the nuanced tactics that insurance companies take to pay you less than what you deserve.
At Sandene Law, we get to know the ins and outs of your case and will provide you with expert legal advice that is tailored to your unique situation. Our team is willing to do whatever it takes to fight up against insurance giants when we believe you have a just case.
If you need help filing a personal injury claim after being injured in a car crash near the Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Aurora, Lakewood, or Denver areas, we can help. Reach out to our team today to receive your free consultation.
FAQ’s
What specific tactics do insurance companies use to convince individuals not to hire a personal injury attorney?
Specific tactics used by insurance companies to dissuade individuals from hiring a personal injury attorney might include downplaying the complexity of the case, suggesting that legal representation is unnecessary, or emphasizing a swift resolution without legal involvement.
How can admitting fault, even partially, impact the outcome of a personal injury claim?
Admitting fault, even partially, could significantly weaken a personal injury claim. Insurance companies may leverage such admissions to reduce the compensation offered or even deny the claim altogether, shifting liability onto the injured party.
Are there any legal consequences for insurance companies if they downplay the extent of someone’s injuries during negotiations?
While downplaying the extent of injuries during negotiations may not have direct legal consequences for insurance companies, it can undermine the injured party’s ability to receive fair compensation. However, in cases of blatant misrepresentation or bad faith, legal action may be pursued against the insurer.
How can individuals determine which medical records are relevant to their personal injury claim and protect their privacy?
Determining which medical records are relevant to a personal injury claim requires careful consideration. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help individuals identify pertinent records while safeguarding their privacy and preventing insurers from exploiting unnecessary medical information.
What are some effective strategies for negotiating with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation for personal injuries beyond rejecting the initial lowball offer?
Effective negotiation strategies with insurance companies involve rejecting lowball initial offers, thoroughly documenting injuries and damages, and enlisting the expertise of experienced personal injury attorneys. Through informed negotiation tactics and legal representation, individuals can strive for fair compensation that reflects the full extent of their injuries and losses.
