Bullying has been at the forefront of social consciousness for some time now. Stories in the news often highlight the devastating effects of bullying among young children and teens. However, children aren’t the only victims. Recently, there has been much publicity surrounding accusations of bullying by Miami Dolphins player, Richard Incognito of his own teammate, Jonathan Martin.
While bullying among individuals may be the most common and devastating, some large corporations like insurance companies take advantage of people by using their superior resources to intimidate, discourage and “bully” people into submission. When people are injured and suffering due to an auto accident or negligence of another, an insurance company is often the first place they look to for help. However, because most people are not well-versed in insurance claims, the innocent often find themselves at battle with the same company that they pay to protect them.
As is the case with all industries, insurance companies are in business to make money, and that means keeping costs as low as possible. Insurance companies’ ultimate goal is to pay as little as possible for a claim or even deny it altogether. In order to protect your interests, it’s important for people with claims to remember some key points when speaking to an insurance company:
- It is Not in Your Best Interest to Answer All Questions – Your insurance provider may contact you quickly after your accident and want you to answer some questions surrounding the event and your injuries. These conversations are typically recorded and can sometimes be used against you, even if you are only trying to cooperate and be completely honest. Before you have these discussions, it’s important to first speak with a qualified Baton Rouge personal injury attorney who can help you through the process.
- Be Wary of “Low Ball” Offers – Your insurance company can save/make lots money by encouraging you to accept less than your claim is worth. Often times, they discourage claimants from using an attorney, stating that the attorney will just take 1/3 of the money. Why do you think that is? Insurance statistics prove that people that are represented by an attorney receive more than 2.5 times more than those without an attorney.
- Get More With an Attorney – It is not Uncommon for Clients of Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers to Receive 10-20 times more than they were initially offered by an insurance company. And, this is with NONE of the hassle and NONE of the risk. Without the guidance of an attorney, an offer may seem reasonable, at first. However, these offers are rarely enough to cover the mounting medical costs and time off of work. Also, these offers usually do not consider any future medical expenses. Unfortunately, once you accept an offer, your case is closed, and you cannot come back for more, even if you discover that you have costly medical needs. Rather than accepting an initial offer, it is important to consult a Baton Rouge auto accident attorney who can help you get a fair settlement.
- “Delay, Deny and Hope They Die” – Believe it or not, this is the informal, but affectionately referred to tactic taught by some insurance companies regarding the handling of claims. Insurance companies often delay and deny valid claims, because they know they can win by attrition. The longer the process takes, the more likely you are to accept an amount that is less than fair. A good personal injury lawyer in Baton Rouge knows how to overcome these tactics with the right documentation and even penalize the insurance company when they don’t treat you fairly.
Properly handling an insurance claim can be daunting task for most. Involvement in an auto accident may only occur once or twice over the course of an individual’s driving lifetime. For many injured victims, it may even be the first time they’ve filed a claim. Feelings of confusion, desperation and fear are quite common when attempting to navigate the process alone.
Anyone can “handle” a claim, which is why many people give it a try on their own. However, our track record and insurance statistics prove that having the right personal injury attorney can make all of the difference.
At Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers, our team focuses on claims dealing with large insurance companies. We interact with these corporations daily and are familiar with the many “bullying” tactics they use. We know how to document your claim properly, resulting in fair and quick settlements. We also know how to penalize insurance companies that don’t treat you fairly. If you have been injured in an auto accident or due to the negligence of another, contact our Baton Rouge office for a free consultation, and learn how an auto injury attorney can help you get the justice you deserve. Click here to request your free case evaluation, or call us directly at (225) 387-2323.
