After a serious car accident, you can feel vulnerable and confused about what to do next. While car insurance is meant to offer financial protection following an accident, you can face an uphill battle once you start dealing with your provider. Usually, insurers protect their bottom line by devaluing or denying claims. They assign insurance adjusters who may use different tactics when handling claims. As a result, you could face serious financial hardships. So, if you think the adjuster who handles your personal injury claim has undervalued or unfairly denied it, contact a skilled personal injury lawyer Des Moines as soon as possible. An attorney has the knowledge and resources to negotiate a fair settlement with an insurer and manage contested claims.
If you have sustained injuries or property damage after a car accident, you want to secure a fair settlement to get your life back on track. To obtain the full compensation you deserve, prepare for the following insurance tactics:
- Contacting you immediately after the crash. Insurance adjusters usually contact claimants the day of or soon after the accident. They make such calls while you are still dealing with pain, confusion, and other symptoms. They know how stressed or traumatized you may be. They want to negotiate a settlement with you before you can evaluate your losses, determine the severity of your injuries, or speak with an attorney.
- Asking for a recorded statement. When you talk with an insurance adjuster, they may ask you to allow them to record your conversation. But keep in mind that whatever you say during this talk can be used against you later to undermine your claim. Also, the adjuster may use what you did not say against you. In general, it’s best to avoid giving the adjuster any statements unless your attorney instructs you to do so.
- Asking for medical authorization. Signing a medical authorization lets the adjuster examine your medical records associated with the accident and access to your whole medical history. They will find evidence of previous injuries, pre-existing conditions, or pain, asserting your current injuries and pain existed before the crash. Thus, the other party isn’t liable for your losses.
- Delaying the claims process. Insurers know that a lot of crash victims face emotional and financial vulnerabilities following a car accident. They may stall the investigation process or do not follow up to delay the claims process. A lot of desperate victims may accept a lowball settlement offer or just give up their claim altogether out of frustration. But it is important to stay steadfast throughout the process to increase your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.
- Misrepresenting policy provisions. The adjuster may mispresent policy provisions and limits after a claimant files a claim. Sometimes, they may assert the policyholder is not covered. This intentionally dishonest practice can be grounds for appeal when the insurer denies your claim. Your lawyer can review the policy and hold the insurer accountable for misrepresenting coverage if this is the case.
- Requiring unnecessary paperwork. Adjusters may request many documentation not related to your claim. These requests complicate the claims process and result in frustration on your part. This practice will push you into accepting a lower settlement or giving up your claim.
- Denying liability. Even if you clearly establish liability for the accident, the insurer may still deny your claim. This can take place when the accident leads to minimal vehicle damage. But even minor accidents can lead to real and serious injuries. Moreover, the insurer may deny liability by asserting you contributed to the accident. But under the modified comparative fault rule in Iowa, this isn’t enough reason to deny your claim outright. This rule allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially to blame for the accident as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for it. Your attorney can explain the facts to you and make sure you are awarded the compensation you deserve.
Apart from that if you want to know about “How to Avoid Three Common Car Accidents” then please visit our “Automobile” Category.
