1 Nov
7 Things Insurance Companies Don’t Want Car Accident Victims to Know
Knowledge is power, and it’s important to not be intimidated into giving up your rights because you didn’t know key information.
Car accidents can be traumatic experiences. After getting in a wreck, most people, after calling the police, will call their insurance company. But it’s important to remember that insurance companies are not necessarily looking out for your best interest when it comes to financial compensation for injuries and damage to your vehicle.
The Florida Law Group’s elite personal injury attorneys understand the truth about insurance companies (and what they purposely do not share with car accident victims) because we have over 100 years of combined experience helping our clients fight for justice. Here are 5 things that insurance companies don’t want you to know!
- You can call a lawyer first
It is not necessary for you to wait to speak with an insurance representative or adjuster, either from your insurance company or the other driver’s, before you speak with an attorney. There is no rule against that, and it will not negatively impact your settlement. If anything, hiring a lawyer who can advise you during talks with your insurance company and act as your advocate will result in more damages recovered.
- The adjuster is not a customer service rep
It may seem that insurance adjusters are compassionate, friendly individuals providing quality service to you after your accident. While they may be lovely people, they are skilled negotiators; they are working for the company. Ultimately, they care more about the company’s bottom line than they do about you. And they know that being friendly encourages cooperation. This is not to say that they are all faking it, but some of them may be, and none of them are concerned with your best interest more than they are of theirs or the company’s.
- Your statements can be used against you
After a crash, you will be understandably shaken and perhaps dazed, particularly if you are injured, and it is common for people to express sentiments of regret even if the accident was not their fault. Know that anything you say to an insurance adjuster can potentially be used against you in later legal proceedings, regardless of how much evidence is on your side. Never give a “recorded statement” (which can very likely be used against you) without first consulting a lawyer.
- You can get compensation even if the accident was your fault, you’re in a no fault state, or the other driver didn’t have insurance
If you live in a no-fault state, or were hit by an uninsured motorist, no matter who is responsible for the crash, you can be covered by your own insurance policy for up to $10,000 (depending on your individual state’s laws). Even if you were responsible for the accident, if your state allows for comparative fault, a court may find the other driver to be more at-fault than you were in the crash, and therefore, you may be awarded more money than you initially realized.
- You can have multiple medical examinations or hire an independent investigator
If the police cannot determine fault, you may be surprised to learn that an investigative expert may be able to give you (and a jury/judge) definitive answers regarding liability in your accident. This can make a significant difference when it comes to the amount of compensation our lawyers are able to recover. Likewise, if your insurance company requires you to be medically examined by a doctor you didn’t choose, you are legally entitled to contact your lawyer before that exam, and have another examination after that. The doctor working for the insurance company, like the adjusters, is paid by the insurance company and therefore not looking out for your best interest. An attorney can refer you to a doctor who cares about your recovery more than anything else, and who can give them a second opinion about your injuries that they can use to build a winning case. - Your case is likely worth more than you know
Only experienced attorneys and insurance adjusters really know how much your case may be worth. Because insurance companies do not want to lose money, they may try to convince you that your case actually isn’t worth as much as you think, or that your injuries are minor. However, some injuries do not present symptoms for a long time, and there are other damages you can seek in a settlement – including pain and suffering, and lost wages – that an insurance adjuster may neglect to mention.
- If they deny your claim, you can fight back
When an insurance company denies your claim, they may make it seem like that is the final answer. It’s not. Your contract with them requires that they handle all claims in “good faith”, which basically means fairly. An experienced lawyer can dispute their denial by filing a “bad faith” suit on your behalf.
Because insurance companies may not be telling you the full story, it’s important to hire a lawyer immediately following your car accident. If you were injured, The Florida Law Group can guide you through all of the legal proceedings and negotiations with the insurance companies, and help you understand all of your legal options. We are nationally recognized as being in the top 1% of lawyers in the state of Florida, and we truly care about our clients’ well-being. While you recover, we fight to recover maximum damages so you can heal quickly and fully! Don’t let your insurance company intimidate you into letting go of your rights. Contact The Florida Law Group to evaluate your case for free today!
Knowledge is power, and it’s important to not be intimidated into giving up your rights because you didn’t know key information.
Car accidents can be traumatic experiences. After getting in a wreck, most people, after calling the police, will call their insurance company. But it’s important to remember that insurance companies are not necessarily looking out for your best interest when it comes to financial compensation for injuries and damage to your vehicle.
The Florida Law Group’s elite personal injury attorneys understand the truth about insurance companies (and what they purposely do not share with car accident victims) because we have over 100 years of combined experience helping our clients fight for justice. Here are 5 things that insurance companies don’t want you to know!
- You can call a lawyer first
It is not necessary for you to wait to speak with an insurance representative or adjuster, either from your insurance company or the other driver’s, before you speak with an attorney. There is no rule against that, and it will not negatively impact your settlement. If anything, hiring a lawyer who can advise you during talks with your insurance company and act as your advocate will result in more damages recovered.
- The adjuster is not a customer service rep
It may seem that insurance adjusters are compassionate, friendly individuals providing quality service to you after your accident. While they may be lovely people, they are skilled negotiators; they are working for the company. Ultimately, they care more about the company’s bottom line than they do about you. And they know that being friendly encourages cooperation. This is not to say that they are all faking it, but some of them may be, and none of them are concerned with your best interest more than they are of theirs or the company’s.
- Your statements can be used against you
After a crash, you will be understandably shaken and perhaps dazed, particularly if you are injured, and it is common for people to express sentiments of regret even if the accident was not their fault. Know that anything you say to an insurance adjuster can potentially be used against you in later legal proceedings, regardless of how much evidence is on your side. Never give a “recorded statement” (which can very likely be used against you) without first consulting a lawyer.
- You can get compensation even if the accident was your fault, you’re in a no fault state, or the other driver didn’t have insurance
If you live in a no-fault state, or were hit by an uninsured motorist, no matter who is responsible for the crash, you can be covered by your own insurance policy for up to $10,000 (depending on your individual state’s laws). Even if you were responsible for the accident, if your state allows for comparative fault, a court may find the other driver to be more at-fault than you were in the crash, and therefore, you may be awarded more money than you initially realized.
- You can have multiple medical examinations or hire an independent investigator
If the police cannot determine fault, you may be surprised to learn that an investigative expert may be able to give you (and a jury/judge) definitive answers regarding liability in your accident. This can make a significant difference when it comes to the amount of compensation our lawyers are able to recover. Likewise, if your insurance company requires you to be medically examined by a doctor you didn’t choose, you are legally entitled to contact your lawyer before that exam, and have another examination after that. The doctor working for the insurance company, like the adjusters, is paid by the insurance company and therefore not looking out for your best interest. An attorney can refer you to a doctor who cares about your recovery more than anything else, and who can give them a second opinion about your injuries that they can use to build a winning case. - Your case is likely worth more than you know
Only experienced attorneys and insurance adjusters really know how much your case may be worth. Because insurance companies do not want to lose money, they may try to convince you that your case actually isn’t worth as much as you think, or that your injuries are minor. However, some injuries do not present symptoms for a long time, and there are other damages you can seek in a settlement – including pain and suffering, and lost wages – that an insurance adjuster may neglect to mention.
- If they deny your claim, you can fight back
When an insurance company denies your claim, they may make it seem like that is the final answer. It’s not. Your contract with them requires that they handle all claims in “good faith”, which basically means fairly. An experienced lawyer can dispute their denial by filing a “bad faith” suit on your behalf.
Because insurance companies may not be telling you the full story, it’s important to hire a lawyer immediately following your car accident. If you were injured, The Florida Law Group can guide you through all of the legal proceedings and negotiations with the insurance companies, and help you understand all of your legal options. We are nationally recognized as being in the top 1% of lawyers in the state of Florida, and we truly care about our clients’ well-being. While you recover, we fight to recover maximum damages so you can heal quickly and fully! Don’t let your insurance company intimidate you into letting go of your rights. Contact The Florida Law Group to evaluate your case for free today!