Personal injury claims include damages for emotional distress, past, current and future medical bills, and pain and suffering. That’s why it’s so important to work with an insurance claim attorney in Gig Harbor. While insurance companies use various excuses to avoid paying on personal injury claims, the reasons listed below are commonly encountered in these cases.
Victims’ Statements to Insurance Companies
The biggest mistake a victim can make is to make a statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Claimants should never talk to an insurance adjuster unless they’ve spoken to an attorney first.
Absence of a Police Report
Insurers often deny claims simply because there’s no police report. As much as possible, victims should try to encourage responding officers to make reports. Depending on the location and the severity of the accident, the police may not make a report unless it’s specifically requested. The evidence contained within the report may encourage the at-fault party’s insurer to pay the claim.
No Independent Witnesses
Insurers believe that, unless there were third-party witnesses, the accident didn’t happen, or if it did occur, it was the victim’s fault. Passengers’ testimonies are not enough, as they may have a reason to lie on the victim’s behalf. There’s no way to prevent this issue, but with the help of an insurance claim attorney in Gig Harbor, its effects may be minimized.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
Insurance companies often assume that if a victim does not seek immediate medical treatment, their injuries aren’t as serious as they seem. However, these companies often fail to realize that there are many reasons not to seek treatment. Victims shouldn’t be prevented from gaining compensation simply because they couldn’t miss work or they couldn’t afford medical care.
For the Bottom Line
One of the biggest reasons insurers deny legitimate claims is to protect the bottom line. Insurance companies are in the business to make a profit, not to protect claimants, and they’ll do what it takes to minimize payouts.
Not Hiring an Attorney
Insurance adjusters receive training that teaches them how to settle claims quickly. They’ll encourage victims to accept low settlement offers, and they may lead them to believe that time is limited. Most places allow two years to file a claim, and the moment a victim signs a release, they lose that right. Contact us to learn how to protect your rights when making an insurance claim.
