An Insurance company is a business and for them to make money, they seek to discredit your claim so they can underpay or not give you money after an injury claim settlement. You can’t trust the insurance adjuster to advise you on your claim since they are always trying to make the least payment possible.
That is why it’s essential to hire Beach injury lawyers to represent you throughout your claim. Below, we let you in on some of the lies insurance lawyers tell about injury claim settlements and why you are better off with a lawyer to defend your interests.
The Lies of Insurance Companies Plus Their Lawyers to Accident Victims
They have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. They use these tricks to get you to stop pursuing your claim or settle for less than you deserve.
You Can Trust Us to Do the Right Thing
It’s a lie. Insurance companies are in business to make money. They will always try to minimize their payout, including lying to you or your lawyer.
If they feel like they can get away with it, they’ll tell you that the case is not worth as much as you think it is or that there’s no way they will settle for that amount. They may even offer you a settlement for less than what you think your claim is worth to save some money on legal fees.
If You Decline Our Settlement Offer, We Will Not Make Another
It’s a classic scare tactic by insurance companies and their lawyers. The initial settlement offer is usually very low. It’s in their best interest to settle out of court, and since most people are unfamiliar with legal proceedings and how they work, they sometimes agree to unfair settlements that aren’t in their best interest.
So what should you do? Get a lawyer who knows what they’re doing, and then tell the insurance company exactly where they can stick their offer or wait for trial if your lawyer disagrees.
They Urge You to Record a Statement
Though they will tell you it will help your case, the reality is that recording a statement can hurt your claim. You may not remember everything that happened during the accident, so there’s a good chance you will miss something or forget to mention it in your recording. In addition, if your recording is saying something that contradicts what you said previously, this could result in your case dismissal.
Suppose you have an injury in an accident. You should never record a statement until after you have consulted with a personal injury attorney and have received advice from them about whether it would be appropriate.
That Your Injury Existed Before the Accident
The insurance company will often argue that your injury existed before the accident. They hope to convince a judge or jury that the accident didn’t cause your injuries but were pre-existing conditions.
Pre-existing injuries can be difficult to prove in the case of a car accident because the accident may have worsened the pre-existing condition, or they could have exacerbated it. You could still claim compensation if a pre-existing condition caused your injury.
For example, if you have arthritis in your knee and then get into a car accident that causes more damage than would otherwise have been there, you can still claim compensation even though your knee was already sore before the accident.
Settling Your Claim Fast Will Save You Money
It could cost you more. When an insurance company settles a case quickly, they are paying you less than your case would be worth if it went to trial. They’re trying to avoid going to court and potentially losing or at least having to pay more, so they will do whatever they can to ensure that happens.
An experienced attorney will help you fight against these tactics and get the settlement you deserve.
They Will Promise to Get You Maximum Compensation
Insurance companies offer you 40% of what they believe you deserve, and they will often try to offer less than what they think your case is worth to save money.
While an insurance company may initially offer a substantial amount of money in the settlement, it does not mean that this will be the final amount you end up receiving if your case goes to trial. Often, the amount they offer is less than what you will receive once all legal fees are added up at trial.
Insurance companies will often lowball you when you’re negotiating a settlement amount for your case. Always seek an attorney to ensure they represents your interests during negotiations with an insurance company or its lawyers.
Insurance companies must protect their interests, so they will often say whatever it takes to get the injured victim to believe something untrue. However, treating the victim with compassion during a crisis sets most lawyers apart from insurance companies.