How does the at-fault party’s insurance company handle my claim?

If you’re seeking compensation for an injury that another party was responsible for, there’s a very good chance that you’ll receive a call from that person’s insurance company.

If you were in a car accident with an impaired driver, your vehicle was damaged and you broke your arm (or worse), you’ll want to remember that the main job of the at-fault party’s insurance company is to minimize their losses. The insurance adjuster is not concerned about compensating you fairly, they’re concerned with providing you as little compensation as possible.

When deciding the value of your claim, the adjuster will take several things into account. They’ll look at lost incomes and wages, medical expenses, hospital fees and prescription costs, emotional distress and pain and suffering.

Some of those items are easy to tally—it’s just a matter of adding up the medical bills and time off from work. However, pain, suffering and emotional distress are subjective, and the adjuster is unlikely to want to advocate on your behalf.

Deciding the strength of your case

If you’ve received a call from an adjuster that’s eager to offer you a lump sum, you’ll want to speak with a personal injury attorney before you accept the offer. Yes, $20, 000 can seem like a lot of money if you’re struggling to pay the mortgage, but depending on the extent of your injuries, your case may be worth a lot more.

One former client told us about a situation with her father, who was injured in a car accident when he was in his early 30s. He was contacted by the other driver’s insurance company almost immediately—and he accepted the settlement offer because his family needed the money to pay some bills. Unfortunately, his injuries were extensive enough that he continued to have medical problems for many years to come. Had he consulted with a personal injury lawyer, it’s likely he would have learned that his case was worth far more than the adjuster’s initial offer.

Not all Naples Florida law firms are created equal

If you want to speak with an attorney about a possible personal injury case, you’ll want to speak with a reputable law firm that has a proven track record of helping their clients receive the compensation they deserve. For more information on how personal injury lawsuits work or to schedule a free case evaluation, call The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. today to learn more.

Source:

alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/insurance-adjuster-handles-claim.html