12 Dec Auto Insurance Tactics to Expect on an Injury Claim
When you’re hurt in a car accident, your auto insurance may be your first thought for the coverage you need. Unfortunately, insurance companies are going to do whatever they can to minimize your injury claim so they have to pay out as little as possible to you.
If you are filing an injury claim, it’s vital to have a firm understanding of what these tactics are, and how auto insurance companies may be using them against you. An understanding of these tactics will ensure that you get the most out of your injury claim and that you get what you deserve.
Delaying Your Claim
One of the major tactics that most insurance companies will use is to delay the claim. They delay the claim as long as possible in order to keep as much money in their bank accounts as they can, for as long as they can, so that they can continue to use the money to invest.
The Insurance companies also will delay your claim in hopes to outlast you. By putting off your injury claim for as long as possible, insurance companies hope that you will get frustrated enough to give up on the claim, instead of sticking with it, because they know that most people are too busy in their day-to-day to put forth the effort that an injury claim needs.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Another tactic that the insurance companies may use is to claim that the injury you have is pre-existing, and has nothing to do with the accident that you were in. They do this to remove themselves from any possible responsibility that they could have to take for your injury.
To avoid this, you and your lawyer may need to turn to a doctor. Doctors can act as expert witnesses and perform more tests about your condition. Those tests can show your injuries were directly caused by your injuries.
Lowballing Your Settlement
Because insurance companies are for-profit businesses, they will do what they can to avoid paying for your injuries. They may exclude part of your settlement’s value to avoid paying out what you’re due.
Your lawyer can help you get the full amount your claim is due. With evidence for your damages, your lawyer can negotiate your settlement with the court and pursue what your claim is worth.
Protect Yourself with a Car Accident Lawyer
The best way to protect yourself if you find yourself in a situation where you need to file an injury claim is to hire a personal injury attorney.
Hiring a personal injury attorney can allow you to focus on all of your day-to-day responsibilities, while they fight the insurance companies for you, ensuring that you are compensated the way you deserve to be for the injuries.
To protect yourself and ensure that these insurance tactics do not get the best of you, reach out for a free consultation with our lawyers at Crowell Law Offices. To learn more, give us a call at 916-303-2800 or complete the following online contact form.