WHY IS IT RISKY TO TALK TO THE DEFENDANT’S INSURER ON YOUR OWN?
Why is it risky to talk to the defendant’s insurer on your own? Well, there is no surprise that the purpose of the defendant’s insurance company is to deny the claim or pay as little as possible in the settlement. While speaking to their insurance after an accident seems to be a safe bet, accident victims should refrain themselves from talking to the defendant’s insurance adjusters and tell them straight to deal with their attorneys.
Yerushalmi Law Firm advises injured victims to call a skilled personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles immediately after the accident, even before calling their own insurance company. With an experienced attorney dealing on your behalf, insurance adjusters will fail to take advantage of your lack of knowledge in the matter.
How is it risky to talk to the defendant’s insurer
Insurance companies aren’t looking out for you. They are businesses with a stake in safeguarding their financial interests. They will do everything in their power to minimize your potential settlement or deny your claim with the help of their well-trained negotiators known as insurance adjusters or claims adjusters. Common risks when you to talk to the defendant’s insurer on your own are listed below:
- Deny Claim Or Undermine Its Value: Insurance adjusters might claim but remember they are never on accident victims’ side. They’ll try to act too friendly to get the injured victim to utter something that will deny or undermine his or her case.
- Coax To Settle Quickly With Inaccurate Injuries: Some injuries don’t even show up for days or even weeks after the accident. Accident victims unaware of the severity of their injuries could give incomplete information to the insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters are notorious for utilizing this situation to benefit themselves. They’ll trick you by offering a quick and low-value settlement offer before your medical treatment is complete. Thus, it is in the victim’s best interest to hire a competent personal injury attorney and let them deal with the insurance on their behalf.
- Try To Make You Admit Fault: Insurance adjusters will try to take a recorded statement from the plaintiff to use it against them. They’ll ask tricky questions in a way to make them admit fault or, if not, put partial blame upon them. If the defendant’s insurer attempts to record the conversation, deny to do so! Tell them you’ll speak in the presence of your attorney and avoid giving any information.
- Offer A Lowball Initial Settlement: Insurance companies take advantage of victims’ disrupted financial situation after the accident. They offer a lowball initial settlement offer right away and try to close the case.
- Trick Victim To Sign A General Release: They ask accident victims to sign a general release after accepting the initial settlement offer. Signing this release means victims will no longer be able to claim in the future, even if their injuries last longer than anticipated. Never sign any insurance company document before consulting with an attorney.
Don’t deal with the defendant’s insurance company on your own. Los Angeles experienced car accident lawyers at the Yerushalmi Law Firm are here to take care of everything for you. If you or a loved one have been in an accident, call us for a free consultation at (310) 777-7717