It’s no secret that law firms and insurance companies don’t get along. For Sutliff & Stout, this remains true; insurance companies hate us and we hate insurance companies.
Insurance companies claim they’re on their side. They are the first point of contact following a car accident. They speak to you when you are most vulnerable and are the first to provide you an offer for compensation.
However, despite what Nationwide tells you, insurance companies aren’t what they seem to be. Companies in relation to Nationwide like State Farm, Progressive, and USAA profit for their shareholders and work for what’s best for the insurance company. This means they will try what they can, with whatever means, to keep the most from you.
It’s important for our clients to be aware of the secrets claims adjusters keep. Here are the top secrets insurance companies will tell you that are completely false.
Settle Quickly
One of the biggest ways insurance companies can swindle you is through a quick settlement. They pressure you into signing a settlement too quickly or they may get you to agree to the lowest settlement possible.
They do this in order for the company to pay as less as possible. Never try and settle when the adjusters say to.
The best time to consider is when your condition is stabilized and all your injuries have been accounted for. But remember to settle within the statute of limitations, which is two years for personal injury incidents in the state of Texas.
Wait For An Offer
An insurance adjuster may request that you wait before calling an attorney before they give you their offer. Don’t wait. The longer you wait, the more you may lose out on valuable legal assistance provided by the law office. It may also be another ploy to discourage you from seeking trusted and top-rated legal experts.
Avoid Attorneys
The one and most diabolical secret they tell you is to avoid lawyers. Insurance companies will spend from thousands to millions of dollars to make the public think lawsuits are money-hungry and pointless. That is not the case, no pun intended. Unlike insurance companies, lawyers will rightly compensate you for any and all grievances suffered in the accident, as well as put your best interests at the forefront of each case. The best car accident lawyer will get you the best compensation you deserve for your car accident case.
Offer Recorded Statements
Recorded statements can and will hurt your claim. Insurance companies ask questions phrased to go against you. They also will twist your answers into exaggerations. It’s important to note that recorded statements aren’t required. When an insurance adjuster asks for a statement, simply decline. Instead, ask for your Houston car accident lawyer.
Sign Medical Authorizations
Claims adjusters will ask you to sign a medical authorization that will reveal all past medical histories. The only thing they are allowed to know are which parts of the body were injured in the accident; adjusters do not have the legal right to obtain all medical history information. Avoid doing this at all costs.
Trust Them to Evaluate Your Bodily Injury
Believe it or not, insurance companies use a computer program to evaluate your claim. Programs like Colossus are designed to significantly reduce bodily injury compensation payments. Go for your doctor for evaluations, never rely on computer programs used by insurance companies. In addition, companies may try and request that you see a doctor they recommended. You are not obligated to see their preferred doctor, you can see your own physician, especially for personal injury cases.
Sutliff & Stout Accident Lawyers
From car accidents to animal attacks to worker compensation, we offer those who have been wrongfully injured or killed to seek fair representation. We are aware of the injustices insurance companies pose to everyday clients, and we fight back to make sure your car accident or personal injury case doesn’t get worse.
If you were seriously injured in a car accident and live in Houston or the surrounding areas, call Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm today for a free and confidential case review. Our accident lawyers will work with you every step of the way and will be dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
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550 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 530