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Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements

Jan 20

Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Pull Back The Curtain on Insurance Settlements

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Pulling Back The Curtain on Tactics Used By Insurance Companies to Reduce Settlements

You’ve heard the stories, a friend has been injured in an auto accident, a slip and fall injury, a workplace injury, all your friend wants is fair treatment from their insurance company. Unfortunately for accident victims, insurance companies fight personal injury claims to avoid paying money. If you are not prepared before contacting your insurance company or meeting with an adjuster, you may very well walk away empty-handed. In this article, Phoenix personal injury lawyers provide tips and reveal common tactics used by insurance companies to minimize settlement claims. Insurance companies will use various tactics to fight your personal injury claim or lower the amount of the settlement. Here’s a list of the most common tactics:

1. Shifting the Blame

This is a common tactic. Don’t be surprised if the insurance claims adjuster attempts to shift the blame for the accident to you. Blaming the victim is a common tactic to avoid liability for a car accident or another personal injury. If the insurance company can convince a jury that you were partially, or completely, at fault, your compensation can be reduced by a proportionate amount. If your insurance company tries to claim you are at fault, hire a personal injury lawyer to represent your case.

2. Deny Claims Due To Delayed Medical Care

Prompt medical care is essential for your personal injury claim. Discuss any symptoms with a doctor to ensure that injuries are documented for the claim. If you do not seek prompt medical care, the insurance company may argue the accident did not cause your injury.

3. Delaying The Case

Delaying the case is also a common tactic. The insurance company knows you need the money, so delays put pressure on you to accept a quick settlement. The insurance company may also delay the case to create a statute of limitation defense. For most cases, the statute of limitations on personal injury is 2 years. There are exceptions to the statute of limitations that may increase or decrease the time to file a claim. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to avoid a problem.

4. Requiring Written Statements

A claims adjuster may ask you to provide a written or recorded statement to process your claim. This common tactic is used to obtain information to use against you to deny the claim. Phone conversations with your insurance company are usually recorded. Anything you say may be used to deny your claim. Adjusters are working to protect the insurance company’s best interest not yours, regardless of what they tell you. It is never in your interest to give a written or recorded statement without firsttalking to a personal injury lawyer.

5. Asking You For Access to Your Medical Records

Another common tactic is to request a medical records release to gather evidence that can be used to lower the value of your personal injury claim. The adjuster might tell you to verify your injuries the insurance company needs copies of your medical records. It is highly probable that the insurance company will obtain copies of your entire medical history to search for prior injuries and argue that they are responsible for your injury. It is unlawful for insurance companies to deny claims based on prior injuries or conditions. Consult a personal injury attorney before signing any release forms.

6. Pressuring You For A Quick Settlement

The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement before you have a chance to consult with a car accident lawyer. The first offer is almost always less than the value of your claim. When you have been injured in an accident, it’s never in your best interest to settle an injury claim before medical treatment is completed. The extent of your injuries may not be fully known until all medical treatment has been completed.

7. Suggesting That a Lawyer Will Take All Your Money

You will almost always be discouraged from consulting a personal injury lawyer by the Insurance Company. The claims adjuster may suggest the settlement does not require an attorney or that an attorney will just take all your money. However, in reality, most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing up front, and having legal representation will probably increase the amount received from a settlement.

The Advantage of Having a Personal Injury Lawyer

You might think that you do not need a personal injury lawyer and can get a settlement on your own. However, hiring an lawyer could increase the amount of the settlement you receive from your injury claim. An attorney understands the damages available for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of the settlement. An estimated 91% of people who hire a personal injury attorney won a settlement compared to only 51% who did not. In addition, the amount you receive could be two to three times more with a lawyer negotiating the settlement. If you’re injured due to someone else’s actions in Phoenix or the surrounding communities, and you’re dealing with an insurance company, don’t go it alone. Contact a car accident or personal injury lawyer.

What About Criminal, DUI, or Family Law Cases?

While much of the same advice applies when facing criminal charges, DUI charges, or a family dispute in Arizona, personal injury law is unique in that you are fighting for monetary compensation. As a result, almost all personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid when you do. There is no out of pocket expense to you Unfortunately, for almost all other practice areas you’ll most likely have to dig deep into your pockets. Since freedom is on the line and you most likely will pay dearly for it, you should make sure you find an attorney or lawyer experienced in the predicament you find yourself|If you are paying for it, you’ll want to find a best criminal defense lawyer, DUI lawyer, or family law or divorce lawyer that best suits your circumstances}. Below is a shortlist of area criminal defense, DUI, and family law attorneys in the Phoenix area to start your search.

Phoenix Injury Attorney Presentations

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Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.