If you get hurt or sustain property damage, you may assume insurance will cover your losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies always put their own best interests first. When dealing with an insurance company, there is a good chance you will encounter tactics aimed at minimizing your financial recovery – or rejecting your claim altogether. Learn how to protect yourself.
If you have sustained an injury, contact our Wilmington, NC, personal injury lawyers at Shipman & Wright to help you file a claim today. Call us at (910) 762-1990 today.
Gaining Your Trust
A person known as the insurance claims adjuster may contact you soon after your accident; often, the same day. The adjuster may sound friendly and pretend he or she is on your side. This is to gain your trust so that you believe the insurance company when it says you don’t have a claim, or that a lowball settlement is the “best” or “final” offer.
Calling you immediately is also a tactic. The insurer will try to catch you off guard and get a statement from you before you fully understand the extent of your injuries – and before you’ve had time to consult with an attorney. During initial conversations with a claims adjuster, keep your answers to questions short and simple. Do not agree to give a recorded statement.
Failing to Properly Investigate
An insurance company may say it is investigating your Wilmington car accident claim or other incident when, in reality, it has already made up its mind to deny your claim. An improper investigation may result in the insurer pinning the blame on you or denying your claim on a technicality, such as a policy exclusion. An unreasonably delayed investigation is also a way for insurance carriers to take advantage of claimants.
Blaming Pre-Existing Conditions
Do not sign any medical authorization release forms sent to you by an insurer. This is a tactic to delve into your full medical history and search for reasons to deny your injury claim – such as a pre-existing condition or old injury. Instead, work with a personal injury lawyer in Wilmington and medical experts to submit only the medical records that are relevant to your claim.
Offering a Quick Settlement
Insurance companies recognize the dire straits that most accident victims are in as they try to heal from traumatic injuries, pay for medical bills and rebuild their lives. Sadly, they take advantage of this to try to persuade clients to accept fast settlements that are typically much lower than the true value. Do your best to resist accepting the first settlement offer. Bring your case to a free legal consultation at Shipman & Wright, instead, so that we can give you an accurate case valuation.
If you have been involved in an accident that have resulted in either brain damage or a spinal cord injury, contact our Wilmington personal injury lawyers today.
Denying Liability
An insurance company may come up with many excuses to deny liability for your losses, either partially or completely. The insurer may try to blame you or a third party, for instance, or tell you that your medical costs aren’t covered due to a loophole in the policy. Some insurers may even rescind or cancel policies, blaming the client for alleged misrepresentation or mistakes on paperwork.
How to Stand Up Against Insurance Company Tactics
It is important to understand how insurance companies work. You should expect one or multiple tactics to try to convince you to accept an inadequate settlement or unfounded claim denial. When navigating the insurance process, the best way to protect your rights is by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer in Wilmington to represent you.
An injury lawyer in Wilmington, NC can take over your claim and communicate with insurance claims adjusters on your behalf, protecting your legal rights and advocating for your interests. Your attorney will help you understand the minute details of your insurance policy and prove a case against one or more parties. Professional legal help can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case.
For more information about the insurance claims process, contact Shipman & Wright for a free consultation.