One of the most frustrating aspects of a personal injury claim is dealing with claims adjusters. On the surface, it may seem like they are trying to help you, but insurance companies will rarely act in your best interests. Before talking to insurance adjusters or accepting any type of offer, it is important that you know your rights and how much your case is really worth. Make sure that you are aware of their tactics and the motives behind their requests.
Here are some things that insurance adjusters DON’T tell personal injury claimants (and what you should probably know when filing a claim):
1. Insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible.
Insurance companies are for-profit organizations that want to maximize their revenue. To do this, it means that they have to minimize their payouts to claimants. Don’t be surprised if an insurance company wants to offer a lowball settlement – it’s a part of their tactics.
2. You don’t have to give a recorded statement.
When a claims adjuster contacts you, they will often pressure you into giving a recorded statement. They see this as an opportunity to catch you saying something that can hurt your claim. The recorded statement will most likely be used against you, so avoid giving a recorded statement without an attorney.
3. You don’t have to settle immediately.
Adjusters want you to take their first offer so they can settle your case immediately. The reality is that the first offer is usually not enough to cover your expenses. This is an amount that they determine they can profit off of, so they often pressure claimants to settle as quickly as possible.
4. Settlements are negotiable.
Settlements are usually negotiable, especially if the offer is far less than what you are entitled to recover based on the value of your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained in the art of negotiation, so be careful when negotiating with them. It is a good idea to contact an attorney for help.
5. Insurance companies will try to dispute your medical treatment.
One of the tactics used by insurers to devalue a claim is to dispute medical treatments by claiming that a certain treatment was not included or necessary. This does not mean that you can’t recover compensation for your expenses. A skilled attorney may be able to negotiate these expenses for you.
6. Insurance compoanies don't want you to hire a personal injury lawyer.
The last thing an insurance company wants to do is deal with an attorney. They know that attorneys can see through their tactics and are able to negotiate a better settlement for their clients. Insurance companies are also reluctant to take a case to court, so they are more likely to settle cases when dealing with attorneys.
Hutton & Hutton Is Here to Protect You
We know how frustrating it can be to deal with insurance adjusters after an accident. It may seem like they are trying everything they can to deny or devalue your claim. Our Wichita personal injury attorneys are here to fight for you. We can take on negotiations with adjusters and we never let them take advantage of our clients during their time of need. With hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries, you can trust us to handle your claim.
No recovery, no fee. Schedule your free consultation by calling our office.