If you’ve been injured in a personal injury accident there are several things you should consider before agreeing to speak to an insurance adjuster. First and foremost, you need to remember the insurance adjuster represents the insurance company, not you. His sole job is to minimize your recovery irrespective of the extent of your injuries. The adjuster may try to convince you that you are in “good hands” with him/her. Don’t believe it.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that like to collect premiums and limit payouts. They go to great lengths to decrease the amount of money they pay for personal injury claims. Whether you have been the victim of an automobile accident, injured by a defective product or slipped and fell on someone else’s property, the insurance company representing the at-fault party will try to minimize the amount of compensation you receive for damages.
Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters to Reduce Personal Injury Payments
Insurance adjusters are trained to use various techniques and tactics to gather information that can be used to reduce the amount paid for a claim. Although these tactics may seem benign, they are specifically designed to be used against you while settling or litigating your case:
- Recorded and/or Written Statement
Insurance adjusters often ask vague and misleading questions to illicit answers that can be misinterpreted. Answers that can be misconstrued can negatively impact your ability to receive the appropriate compensation for your injuries.
- Medical Release
Insurance adjusters commonly ask personal injury accident victims to sign a blanket medical authorization claiming they need it to get the medical records that can verify your accident related injuries. While this sounds perfectly logical, blanket authrizations not only open current medical records, but historical records as well. This gives the insurance company the opportunity to look for previous injuries or conditions they can say caused or contributed to your current injuries, thus reducing your recovery. These blanket authorizations may also allow the insurance company to obtain records wholly unrelated to your injury. Sometimes these records may involve issues of a personal nature to which you would not want anyone to know about. Never ever provide the defendant’s insurance carrier with a blanket authorization to obtain your records.
You Should Not Settle a Personal Injury Claim Without Consulting an Attorney
When there is an accident with clear liability, the insurance adjuster sometimes tries to make a quick settlement before the accident victim consults with a personal injury attorney. The adjuster does this hoping to get you to settle for less than you are actually entitled to. Once an agreement is reached and a release is signed, the insurance company is not liable for any further damages.
A personal injury accident lawyer works for the rights of the victim. He will protect you from insurance company tactics and ensure you receive the maximum recovery for your damages.
Contact an Experienced Long Beach Personal Injury Attorney to Assist with Your Claim
“Your Injuries are Personal to Me”
My law practice exclusively represents personal injury victims and does so with a deep understanding of their suffering and an absolute commitment to their recovery. I take your injuries personally, and that is why I directly handle all aspects of every case to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.
Call the Law Office of Michael D. Waks at 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. You are under no obligation and you will never pay any money unless you recover damages for your injuries. I offer bilingual services as part of my comprehensive approach to legal representation and I am available 24/7 to talk to you about your case.
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