If you are involved in a car accident that results in vehicle damage and injury, you will most likely face significant expenses such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, future diminished earnings, and other damages.
Insurance firms are infamous for using dishonest techniques when dealing with claims, whether from their own policyholders or third-party claimants. Their major goal is to reduce payouts and make a profit.
In such cases, it is best to look for a personal injury lawyer in your area who can provide valuable advice when dealing with the other driver’s insurance adjuster.
Threatening a Lesser Settlement If You Retain an Attorney
Insurance adjusters are experienced in using strategies that exploit claimants’ weaknesses. One such tactic entails making veiled threats to reduce suggested settlement amounts if the claimant signals a desire to seek legal counsel from a personal injury lawyer.
The fundamental logic behind this method stems from the insurance company’s understanding that people represented by expert personal injury lawyers are more likely to receive greater settlements. These attorneys have the requisite experience, legal knowledge, and negotiation abilities to effectively argue for their clients’ rights and secure appropriate compensation.
Disputes About Injuries and Medical Treatment
Insurance adjusters may challenge or dispute the medical opinions provided by your healthcare providers. They may question your doctor’s diagnosis or prognosis, raising concerns about the severity or legitimacy of your condition. Furthermore, the insurance company may initially claim that certain recommended medical tests or procedures are unnecessary, despite lacking the medical expertise to make such decisions.
Postponing the Settlement of Claims
Insurance companies are well known for using strategies to drag out the processing of claims, especially in situations where the plaintiffs don’t have legal counsel. Their approach is to drag out the proceedings as long as they can, to weaken the claimant’s will.
Insurance companies intentionally prolong the proceedings to take advantage of the financial strain and increasing pressure that claimants will unavoidably experience. The insurance company expects claimants to eventually give in to the mounting financial strain and accept a settlement offer that is significantly less than the actual value of their claim as bills and expenses mount.
Paying Less Than the Full Amount Owed for Medical Expenses
The insurance company may attempt to negotiate a smaller amount than the total amount that is owed for the medical costs to help customers pay the remaining debt. The practice, known as “balance billing,” can put customers in a financial position that is difficult for them, particularly if they are not prepared for the unexpected costs.
Sometimes, patients may be forced to pay more out of pocket in certain situations, which might harm their credit. This situation may be different for people who are already struggling to pay for their medical cards.
Requesting Superfluous or Unnecessary Information
The insurance companies may use different strategies, like persistently asking claimants for information and documentation, to drag out the settlement process. Well, these demands may seem harmless, but they can result in significant delays when your claim is in process.
It is vital to acknowledge that this kind of request could have more than one purpose. Initially, the insurance company could be looking for specific information that could strengthen their position in a future lawsuit or reduce their risk exposure.
For example, they may review previous loan applications or financial accounts for anomalies or misleading material that could be used against the claimant in court. They may also review records of previous injuries or medical illnesses, aiming to connect the claimant’s current suffering or expenses to pre-existing difficulties rather than the accident in question.
The best way to deal with these insurance adjusters is to hire a lawyer. A lawyer knows how these adjusters operate and can handle them effectively.