Car accidents and other road accidents involving vehicles are the leading cause of injuries and fatalities across the U.S. In a recent report published by the Michigan Department of State Police in 2021, it was revealed that out of the total 323,048 accidents involving passenger cars, SUVs, or vans, there were 1,111 fatalities, 64,666 cases of injuries, and 257,271 incidents resulting in property damage.
When someone is injured due to the fault of another person, it can be a tough and often confusing time. In addition to the physical and emotional trauma, there are also legal issues to consider. One aspect that may come up is dealing with insurance companies when filing a personal injury claim. This process can be complicated, but it’s crucial for the victim in order to receive compensation for medical expenses and other damages. If you live in ‘The Great Lakes State’ and have sustained personal injuries due to someone else’s negligence, consult a Michigan injury attorney to help you seek the restitution you deserve. In this article, we’ll outline some tips on how to handle insurance companies during personal injury cases.
Understanding Insurance Company Tactics
Before jumping into how-to’s, it’s important that victims of personal injury understand some common tactics used by insurance companies. While most adjusters want to settle quickly and efficiently without the need for litigation, they are not working in your best interest. The goal of an insurance company is typically to pay out as little as possible while portraying themselves as helpful in getting a fair settlement.
One tactic often used by insurers is offering quick settlements that seem reasonable but are actually far below what you’re entitled to receive based on your damages. They may also try offering a lowball figure before evidence has been gathered or you’ve had time to fully grasp the extent of your injuries. Another strategy involves prolonging settlement negotiations until you’re desperate for money or get overwhelmed with medical bills or lost wages.
Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney
The first step towards properly dealing with insurance companies during a personal injury case is hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in these types of claims. It’s crucial that people going through this process have representation from someone who understands how these cases work and can help clients navigate through the complicated ins and outs of dealing with insurers.
Insurance negotiation skills aside, attorneys bring value because they highlight the strongest points about their client’s case and evidence, including all medical reports, records, etc., ultimately seeking maximum compensation. They save their clients time by preventing them from getting bogged down by overwhelming paperwork requirements.
How to Handle Insurance Companies
When dealing with insurance companies after a personal injury, it’s essential that people understand their rights and have confidence in their ability to handle the negotiations in a professional and effective manner. Below are some tips on how to handle insurance companies during this process.
Report The Incident To Your Own Insurance Company
Many people assume they should deal exclusively with the at-fault person’s insurer, but involving your own insurance company can be helpful for you (the victim). Personal injury cases typically require proof of personal coverage, so working with your insurance company can help speed up the documentation process while signaling to other parties involved that you’re serious about pursuing compensation for damages incurred.
Understand The Full Extent Of The Injury And How It Will Impact You On A Long-Term Basis
Knowing all possible outcomes based on injuries is important because it gives a realistic expectation of how much settlement worth could potentially be rewarded, whether via out-of-court settlement or legal action (i.e., trial).
Never Admit the Fault
Regardless of the circumstance surrounding an accident where someone was injured, never accept blame or fault for what happened when talking to the other party’s insurer or investigators hired by them.
Know What You Need To Prove In Order To Obtain Compensation
It’s crucial for those who file claims — and even more crucially, their attorneys — to know specifically what information or documents they need in order to prove themselves deserving under different provisions that apply depending on case specifics (such as premise liability assumption law which comes into play if the accident occurred because the property owner failed to maintain safe conditions). Understanding all applicable laws where an incident happened is critical too.
Be Prepared For Requests Of Certain Documents By Other Party’s Adjusters
Being prepared ahead of time and keeping copies if needed prevents vulnerability among the parties being represented.
Collect As Much Evidence As Possible
Gather witness statements/photos. Documenting these forms of evidence helps support the plaintiff’s case. In cases with injuries, be sure to document medical care received (including physical therapy recommendation where applicable) as well as financial loss/damage incurred, whether it be loss of wages or transportation costs.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with insurance companies when filing a personal injury case is often stressful and challenging, especially when handling settlement negotiations by yourself. Hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in personal injury law can help you smoothly navigate all stages of this process, making things much easier on you while ensuring that your rights are fully protected, understood, and defended promptly.
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