Don’t Trust That Opposing Insurance Company After an Accident

As a Personal Injury lawyer in DuPage County, we’ve represented hundreds of clients involved in car accidents. One piece of advice we always give personal injury clients is to not trust the opposing insurance company.

After being injured in an accident, you’ll probably be contacted by an insurance adjuster from the insurer of the person who caused your accident and injuries. You’re forewarned not to give that individual any relevant information about what happened or about your medical condition. Below are three areas to consider after you’ve been injured in a car accident.

1)  The Industry’s Common Objective

Liability insurance companies want quality policyholders who are careful and prudent in going about their daily affairs. They charge their policyholders premiums, and upon payment of those premiums, that money is invested so that the insurance company can make even more money. If a policyholder causes an accident with personal injuries, it’s the goal of that person’s insurance company to pay as little as possible or even nothing to the accident victim.

In other words, if you’re involved in a car accident on Interstate 88 with a severely damaged car and several broken bones the opposing insurance company will want to compensate you as little as possible. When you realize their intent, it’s best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney like Mark Sutter with the Sutter Law Group. He’s successfully represented clients from Downer’s Grove, Oak Brook, Westmont and other surrounding Chicago suburbs against opposing insurance companies.

 

2)  The Phone Call

Assuming that an adjuster from the opposing insurance company does contact you, he or she is a skilled accident investigator and negotiator. Here are some things that should not be discussed without an experienced and effective personal injury lawyer at your side.

• • FAULT: That adjuster already knows what happened. He or she has a copy of the police report in front of them. You can refer that adjuster to the police report. There is no reason for you to give your version of events.
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  • YOUR INJURIES: You simply don’t know what future diagnostic testing is going to reveal. You can tell the adjuster that copies of your medical records will be forthcoming as you continue with your treatment.
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  • GIVING A STATEMENT: Never consent to giving that opposing insurance company any type of statement about your accident or injuries. It will only try to use your own words against you in the future while attacking your credibility. No matter what that adjuster says, refuse to give a statement. The law doesn’t require you to give one.
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  • YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:  You’re not required to give it, so don’t give it. You’ll be opening the door to a fishing expedition by the other side.
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  • THE MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION: Don’t sign a medical authorization or anything else in connection with your claim without first consulting with an attorney. The adjuster is probably looking for a prior injury to the same part of your body. If it finds one, it can argue that you’re “damaged goods” already.

 

3)  Some Insurance Company Tricks

It’s perfectly legal for an opposing insurance adjuster to try some of the following tricks. Don’t fall for them. First, you’ll be relinquishing control of your case, and it’s highly likely that you’ll make mistakes that will be used against you, even if you file a personal injury lawsuit. Here are a few of those tricks:

• • YOU DON’T NEED TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY FOR THIS: That adjuster knows that if you retain an attorney, it makes his or her job more difficult, and it’s highly likely that the insurer will be paying out significantly more on your claim.
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  • SETTLING WHILE “YOU’RE STILL BLEEDING.”:  The adjuster who is assigned to your case will gladly have you sign off on a release quickly and before your medical treatment has been completed. You could be depriving yourself out of thousands and thousands of dollars.
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  • SEEING THEIR DOCTOR: Insurance company doctors routinely accept patients from insurance companies for “independent” medical examinations. If the insurer is paying for the examination and the doctor routinely performs them for the insurer, reports of examinations aren’t going to be very objective at all. Don’t submit to an examination by the insurance company’s doctor unless there is a court order requiring you to do so.

 

After being injured in an accident, don’t relinquish any control of your personal injury claim to the opposing insurance company. You’ll make mistakes that will devalue your case. Only a dedicated, experienced and aggressive personal injury lawyer, like Mark Sutter, is capable of maximizing any proceeds that you might receive in a settlement or award. Arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation, today! That’s the only way that you might get the compensation for your injuries and damages that you deserve.

CONTACT US TODAY: 312-724-5600