For a long time, insurance companies have put up billboards and advertisements on mainstream media telling the masses how they care about their welfare. This goes contrary to what happens when you get in an accident and want to file a claim – this is when you realize that the company doesn’t care about your issues at all and will do anything to give you minimum compensation, or nothing at all.
“The average payout for car accident claims is $19,000, with only a tiny amount of claims getting to trial.”
When injured in a crash, the insurance company assigns an adjuster to your case. The adjuster is supposed to ensure that you get the minimum payout from the claim you file, however serious your injuries are.
There are a few statements that the insurer will make, hoping that you crumble and let the case go. Here are the top ones:
1. If You Got the Ticket, You are on the Wrong
The insurer will keep telling you that if you have a traffic ticket, you are the one who is at fault, and you don’t have to file a claim for compensation. Don’t let the insurer get you into thinking that just because you were slapped with a ticket, then you don’t have a case.
Yes, you might be partly at fault, but as long as you aren’t entirely at fault, you deserve to be paid for your damages.
2. If You don’t Get Treated Immediately, then You Shouldn’t File a Claim
This is the second statement insurance adjusters use to confuse you. As much as you need to get treated for injuries urgently, delaying a bit doesn’t mean you will lose your claim. Some injuries manifest after a few days or weeks, which means that you can visit the doctor for checkup and go home, only to get admitted two weeks down the line.
You can start the treatment a few days late and still file a claim for compensation.
3. If the Car isn’t Extensively Damaged, You Were Not Hurt
The insurer tries to make you think that the damage to your car should go in line with the injuries you sustain. Doctors attest to the fact that the extent of damage to the vehicle doesn’t determine the injuries that you sustain. We have seen people that have been involved in huge car crashes but ended up walking away without any scratch.
On the other hand, you can be involved in an accident that seems minor yet suffer chronic injuries that last you for a lifetime.Don’t let the insurer trick you into believing that your injuries might have been caused by something else not related to the accident.
4. The Symptoms Existed Before the Accident
Insurance companies have an uncanny way of making it seem that your injuries were due to pre-existing conditions. Yes, you might have a pre-existing condition, but an accident can still cause pain and suffering.
The truth is that your pre-existing condition might require more treatment after the accident than someone who didn’t have the condition. Don’t let them fool you into believing that your condition is responsible for the injuries. At this point, you need to work with a professional doctor and a personal injury lawyer to help you prove that the injuries were a result of the accident.
How Do You Handle these Statements?
The first thing is to have enough evidence to help you remove any doubt. Police and doctor’s reports, witness statements, and pictures can help you prove the insurer otherwise. It is usually your word against theirs, so make sure you have evidence to prove that you were in the accident and sustained injuries.
Contact a qualified Gainesville personal injury lawyer today to begin the process of filing for compensation. Don’t forget to tell them what the insurer is saying so that they can help mitigate the situation.
The author, Dr. David K Simson is a trained radiation oncologist specializing in advanced radiation techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) / Rapid Arc, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). He is also experienced in interstitial, intracavitary, and intraluminal brachytherapy.