Things to Know About Insurance Companies
Dealing with the insurance company may seem like one of the easier tasks that you’ll have after being involved in a car crash. Unfortunately, many claimants find themselves dealing with insurance adjusters who either make insultingly low settlement offers or flat-out deny their claims without having a valid reason why.
This can be disheartening for claimants who need access to their compensation as soon as possible to avoid financial trouble. Before moving forward, the most important thing you need to know about the insurance company is that it is not on your side.
Insurers Prioritize Their Needs Above Yours
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, which means that every time they pay a settlement, they lose money. For this reason, insurers are almost always going to prioritize their needs above the needs of their claimants.
They may be very polite and make you feel as though they are doing everything they can to get you your money as soon as possible, but nothing could be further from the truth. The insurance adjuster is going to be doing whatever he or she can to minimize the amount the company will be required to settle for.
They Misuse Statements from Crash Victims
One of the ways the insurance company may attempt to reduce your award is by asking you to give a statement about your version of the events in question. Then, the adjuster may try to make it appear as though you have either admitted fault or are more liable for the crash than the at-fault party.
Comparative negligence laws in Louisiana allow victims to recover their losses from the other at-fault party even if they are partially to blame. However, if you are partially to blame, you can expect your award to be reduced by the percentage of liability you carry.
By blowing your blame for the accident out of proportion, the insurer can get away with paying you less than you’re entitled to. Your attorney will be prepared for these strategies and will negotiate with the insurers on your behalf so you can still get the most out of your claim.
Call a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve decided to move forward with a claim against the person or people responsible for your injuries, you’ll more than likely need to deal with an insurance company as you seek compensation. And dealing with insurers isn’t easy.
An experienced Baton Rouge car accident lawyer at Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers can help you avoid being taken advantage of. Schedule your free case review today by calling our office at 225-387-2323 or by filling out the convenient contact form below.