If you are injured by someone else’s negligence, your personal injury claim will proceed through the at-fault party’s insurance provider. For example, if you are injured by a negligent motorist, you will file a car accident claim with the negligent driver’s car insurance company. Every insurance company is in the business of making money, and they have a variety of techniques at the ready that allow them to maximize their profits – while minimizing the amounts they pay out. Let’s take a closer look.
Denying Claims Outright
One quick and easy trick insurance companies like to turn to time and time again is simply denying accident claims outright. Even if the claim in question is viable, a certain number of people will simply give up, and that amounts to pure profit for the insurance company. Many people believe that the insurance company has the final say on these matters, but this is not necessarily the case.
Making an Early Settlement Offer
Another tactic employed by insurance companies is offering early settlements before claimants even have the opportunity to assess your complete damages. This can work on a variety of levels that include:
Offering you compensation when you are at your most desperate and vulnerable (injured while facing mounting medical bills in addition to lost earnings)
Failing to allow you the time it takes to accurately assess your physical, financial, and emotional damages
Swooping in and prompting you to make a decision that will directly affect your future before you are prepared to do so (perhaps before you have even had time to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney)
If the insurance company offers you a settlement, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Read more: Responding to Low Insurance Settlement Offers in Texas
Shifting Blame
You have been injured by someone else’s negligence, but this does not mean that the insurance company involved is above attempting to shift blame away from their policyholder and toward you.
Minimizing Your Damages
The insurance company may also attempt to minimize the damages that you claim. While this is an underhanded approach, it can be quite effective. Steps that you can take to help protect your claim (and your recovery) include:
Seek medical attention as soon after the accident as possible
Carefully adhere to your medical providers’ instructions
Work closely with a dedicated personal injury attorney (Click here to learn more about how your personal injury attorney can help you)
Lay low on social media and refrain from commenting about the accident at the scene (insurance companies are adept at twisting words and using them against accident victims like you) (3 Social Media Tips for Your Personal Injury Claim)
Reach out to an Experienced Killeen Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is an accomplished personal injury attorney who is committed to harnessing the full force of his impressive experience in pursuit of a claim resolution that upholds your rights and best interests. To learn more, please do not hesitate togive us a call at 254-501-4040 or contact us today.
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