Negotiating With Insurance Agents After a Personal Injury: Things You Should Know
Williston has been in the news lately for various fatal accidents – Google it and you will come across various sources reporting such incidents.
And there also have been instances wherein people involved in accidents sustained major injuries. The pain of personal injuries is often followed by the ordeal of dealing with insurance agents.
Understanding the process of negotiating with them is crucial to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one was injured, consult with a personal injury lawyer to help you seek the restitution you deserve.
This is a crucial step because the process is paperwork-intensive and requires careful legal oversight to ensure success.
This blog post will discuss essential things you should know when negotiating with insurance agents after a personal injury, from understanding their tactics to knowing when to hire an attorney.
Understanding Insurance Adjusters’ Tactics
1. Quick Settlement Offers
Insurance adjusters may offer you a quick settlement soon after your accident. They do this in hopes that you will accept the offer without fully understanding the extent of your injuries or potential future medical expenses.
Be cautious about accepting any offers before consulting with an attorney or completing all necessary medical treatments.
2. Minimizing Your Injuries
Adjusters often try to downplay the severity of your injuries to reduce the amount they have to pay out in settlements. They may ask leading questions during recorded statements, hoping you’ll inadvertently agree that your injuries are less severe than they are.
3. Requesting Unnecessary Documentation
Another tactic insurance adjusters use requesting excessive documentation, which can delay the negotiation process and potentially discourage claimants from pursuing their claims further.
Knowing Your Rights and Responsibilities
1. Understand Your Policy Coverage
Before engaging in negotiations, ensure you thoroughly understand your insurance policy’s coverage limits and exclusions. Knowing what is covered under your policy will help ensure understanding during negotiations.
2. Document Everything
Keep detailed records of all communications with insurance agents, including dates, times, names of representatives spoken with, and any information discussed during those conversations.
3 . Seek Medical Treatment
It’s essential for your health and strengthening your case that you seek prompt medical treatment following an accident resulting in personal injury.
Ensure you follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and keep all records of treatments, diagnoses, and prescriptions.
4. Do Not Admit Fault
During any conversations with insurance agents, avoid admitting fault for the accident or downplaying your injuries. Any statements made during negotiations can be used against you later on. It is highly recommended that you hire competent legal counsel before contacting insurance agents.
When to Hire an Attorney
1. Severe Injuries or Permanent Disability
If your injuries are severe or have resulted in permanent disability, it is crucial to hire a personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the complex process of negotiating with insurance companies.
Many legal stipulations make permanent disability liable for more compensation, given the gravity of the situation.
2. Disputed Liability
If the insurance company disputes their policyholder’s liability for the accident, they may refuse to pay any compensation.
There could be many reasons for the dispute, like a void policy or misrepresenting facts to the insurer. There could also be a miscalculation on behalf of the assessment agents.
3. Unfair Settlement Offers
If the insurance company offers an unfair settlement that does not adequately cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to your injury, consider hiring an attorney to negotiate.
Settlements are often done after careful assessment of damages — present and future-anticipated.
Hence, accepting an early settlement offer doesn’t make sense because the insurer has also not thoroughly investigated the injuries. This is one of the reasons why legal oversight is necessary in these cases.
Conclusion
Negotiating with insurance agents after a personal injury can be challenging; however, understanding their tactics and knowing when to seek legal representation will ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Always document everything related to your case thoroughly and prioritize receiving appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible following an accident resulting in personal injury.
