Insurance companies are businesses, not charities. Their only purpose is to make a profit, which they do by paying less money to automobile accident victims than the premiums they charge to the drivers who caused them. It’s a racquet.
And sometimes their adjusters get overly aggressive, even ruthless. That’s why you need someone on your side protecting you.
Here are some of the ways I see insurance companies trying to cheat my clients:
Demanding recorded statement immediately after the crash
You were just in a car crash. You might have just been released from the ER and are feeling a lot of pain. You are taking medications that can affect your memory, mood, and sleep. You might not be able to work and are naturally worried about your job, income, medical bills, and your wrecked car. So this is the worst time you should talk to the at-fault driver’s “friendly” insurance adjuster to answer “a few questions.” He or she knows this and often wants to take advantage of your vulnerability.
My advice? Just say no. Don’t talk to the company. You are not required to. You need time to prepare for the onslaught of probing questions which are worded to show that you were at fault, you weren’t injured badly, have been injured in the past, etc.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen insurance companies turn around and use an unfavorable answer during settlement negotiations or trial. If a statement is absolutely required — and it rarely is — a good injury lawyer will prepare you in advance so you know what questions will probably be asked and what your answers will be. I always meet with my clients for 30 to 60 minutes before a statement, if I agree to give one at all. And I make sure the answers cannot be recorded, refuse to discuss medical treatment or monetary damages, and do not allow the statement to be used against my client later to reduce his or her financial compensation.
Twisting your words
As an example, when somebody you know asks “how are you?” your response is “fine,” even if you are having a terrible day. But they turn that polite response into a harmful admission. I refuse to let them to mangle my client’s words.
Offering you a quick low-ball settlement
Several times a year, I get called from someone who has already accepted the insurance company’s settlement – often $500.00 – and signed a release for future compensation. But he wants me to represent him because he is still feeling pain. I hate when this happens.
An injured person should obtain a legal assessment of their claim before accepting an offer. You have no idea what your case is worth. And there are likely damages you did not consider. And you don’t know how long you will have to treat with doctors or how much your lost wages will be.
Urging you not to hire a lawyer
When the agent suggests you don’t need a lawyer, he’s doing it for his own sake, not yours.He won’t tell you that studies show that liability companies pay injured people who hire injury attorneys more than three times what they pay to people who represent themselves.
And my office also fight to make hospitals and doctors reduce marked-up bills. Just today, we settled a case and reduced our client’s medical bills by over $12,000.00 which was more than our fee.
What you should do
One of the reasons some are victimized is because they have no experience dealing with auto accidents. You need a good attorney who just represents injured people in Fort Worth, Dallas, and the cities and communities in North Texas to help you. As an experienced Fort Worth accident lawyer, I am fully aware of the above tricks and many other games played by these companies.
After battling insurance companies for 36 years. I know what to do to help my clients get the most money possible for their injuries.
Please call me at 817-885-8000 or 1-888-801-858 or by email if you have any questions I can help you answer. The call is free and there is no charge to you for any attorney’s fee or expenses unless you recover money. Let me help you get the compensation you deserve.