After the shock of a vehicle collision, many accident victims in Philadelphia expect their insurance provider, or the insurer of the at-fault driver, to cover their costs. That isn’t always the case, as insurance companies may employ a number of underhanded tricks to pay you less or deny the claim entirely.
How Insurance Companies Avoid Paying Car Accident Victims
- Denying the claim outright in bad faith
- Offering far less than you actually deserve
- Pressuring towards a hasty settlement
- Twisting your words in recorded statements
Beware These Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Deny Car Crash Claims in Pennsylvania
Although having an insurance policy is important to prepare for the future, you should never forget that insurers are in business to make a profit. That means that the fewer claims they pay out, the more money they make. These are the top potential insurance pitfalls to avoid if you want to protect your financial recovery after a serious injury:
- Denying the claim outright in bad faith – Insurers are required by law to examine your claim “in good faith.” In some cases, they may simply deny your claim outright in the hopes that you drop the issue and don’t pursue it any further. In these instances, an attorney can file a lawsuit to recover the damages you are owed.
- Offering far less than you actually deserve – The initial offer from an insurer is often a lowball amount below what is needed. That first settlement amount may not take into account all of your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
- Pressuring towards a hasty settlement – To make the first low offer more attractive, the insurer may try to make you feel as though it must be taken right now or you could end up with nothing. That’s one reason an adjuster may also try to convince you an attorney isn’t necessary, because a skilled personal injury lawyer is in a better position to negotiate for the entire amount you truly deserve.
- Twisting your words in recorded statements – While the adjuster may seem friendly, loosening up and speaking freely with them can cost you. The adjuster’s job is to prompt victims to admit partial guilt or to say that they weren’t actually hurt very badly. That’s why you must politely decline to provide a recorded statement and instead allow your attorney to handle communications.
Hire an Attorney Who Will Look Out for Your Best Interests
Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to these kinds of predatory tactics. An experienced attorney can help you overcome these dirty tricks and move forward towards financial recovery, whether that’s through an insurance settlement or a personal injury lawsuit. Contact the Heslin Law Firm today to discuss your injury case.
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