Posted on Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 at 2:01 am
Is the Insurance Settlement Offer Fair Considering Your Injuries?
It would be much easier to settle accident claims if insurance companies simply paid full compensation for each claim. However, that is not the case. Insurance companies are in business to make money — paying accident claims is not good for the company’s profit margin. Some insurance adjusters offer fair settlement offers, but many do not. Below are warning sides that the insurance company may be trying to settle your claim for less than it is worth.
Warning Sign Number 1: The Adjuster Tells You That Your Injuries Are Not Covered
Each driver in California is required to have a minimum amount of liability insurance. Liability insurance protects accident victims when a driver causes a collision. An adjuster may try to tell you that your injuries are not covered. However, if the other driver was 100 percent at fault for the crash, your injuries should be fully covered. The policy limits may restrict the amount you may receive, but if liability is clear, your injuries should be covered. It is always best to have an attorney review the insurance policy before you accept any settlement to insurance you are receiving a fair settlement amount.
Warning Sign Number 2: You are asked to provide a statement or sign a medical release.
An insurance adjuster is searching for any reason to deny your claim or lower the amount of money paid for your claim. One way to do this is to obtain information the insurance company can use against you. Statements and releases are ways to get information. For example, if you admit in a recorded statement that you were running late for work, the insurance company may try to claim you were speeding at the time of the crash thereby contributing to the cause of the crash. A medical release allows the company to obtain your records which may provide information about a prior injury that the insurance company may try to use to claim you were not injured in the accident. If an adjuster is requesting you submit a statement or sign a release, you should consult with an attorney to protect your rights.
Warning Sign Number 3: You receive a quick settlement offer.
If an insurance adjuster approaches you with a quick settlement offer, think twice before accepting the offer. When an insurance company knows that a claim could be substantial and its liability is clear, the company may authorize a quick settlement to get rid of the claim before the person seeks legal counsel or realizes the full extent of his or her injuries. It is in your best interest to consult with an attorney to ensure that the settlement you have been offered is full compensation for your claim.
Call a Sacramento Injury Lawyer for More Information
The Sacramento injury lawyers of the Tiemann Law Firm want to help you receive the money you deserve for your injuries and losses. Call (916) 999-9000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our injury lawyers. Our attorneys represent clients throughout Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
