Louisiana Injury Lawyers Blog
It can feel overwhelming dealing with the insurance company after an accident. But, the first step in receiving compensation after an accident is to file a claim with the insurance company, so communicating with them is inevitable.
After carefully reviewing your claim, the adjuster assigned to your case will then pay out your claim or deny it. If your claim is denied, there are many reasons why the insurance company did so, which may include:
– The Statute of Limitations has run out
– Coverage does not apply to your claim
– You suffer from preexisting injuries
– Lack of evidence
– Failure to seek medical treatment
– Failure to report your accident to law enforcement
– You were partially at fault
But, do not let the insurance company discourage you. If they have denied your claim or are seeking to greatly minimize your settlement, it is not the end of the matter. You should contact a personal injury attorney right away to determine if you have a case.
Seeking help from an experienced personal injury attorney after an accident can make your life much easier and be extremely valuable to your injury claim. Some advantages to hiring an attorney are that they will:
1. DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR YOU.
If you do not have experience dealing with insurance companies, it can be difficult to guarantee your best interests are being represented and that you will receive the full value for your claim. After
Insurance companies will also try to obtain a recorded statement from you. You should never do this! Giving a recorded statement can severely hurt your case as the insurance adjuster will do anything to derail you and undermine your injuries. Most attorneys strongly advise against giving a recorded statement. You should undoubtedly check with your attorney before agreeing to the insurance company’s request for a statement from you.
Hiring an attorney to represent you in your personal injury claim can have a significant impact on the outcome. The burden of fighting with the insurance company is no longer on you. Your attorney will bargain with the insurance adjuster, handle all details of your claim, help formulate a written or verbal statement that will benefit you, and always represent your best interest until the case is settled.
2. GUARANTEE THAT YOU RECEIVE PROPER MEDICAL TREATMENT.
It is extremely important to seek medical attention after an accident. Even if you do not experience symptoms right away, you may have still sustained injuries. A personal injury attorney can ensure you obtain quality medical treatment. Many attorneys have networks with trusted and skilled physicians who will provide excellent care and be able to boost the value of your claim.
3. HELP DETERMINE THE TRUE VALUE OF YOUR CLAIM.
It is important to know how much your claim is actually worth before settling. Do not let the insurance company lowball you. It is an attorney’s main priority to get you the compensation that represents the real value of your claim and damages you have suffered. We want to make sure that the settlement covers the full extent of your losses. This includes pain and suffering, lost wages and loss of future income, past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, etc.
4. NEGOTIATE A FAIR SETTLEMENT.
The sad truth is that insurance companies exist to negotiate and make a profit, not to look out for the best interest of claimants. The adjuster is trying to quickly pay out your claim before you have had time to realize the severity of your injuries.
Personal Injury attorneys are also skilled negotiators and will help you obtain rightful compensation for your damages. Having an attorney to help settle your case eliminates the risk of settling for less than you deserve.
5. HELP DETERMINE FAULT.
One of the most important and complicated components of a personal injury claim is establishing fault. Your attorney can assist you in proving that another’s negligence caused your injuries. They will do this through consulting medical experts and collecting your medical records, obtaining the accident report, and interviewing witnesses who were at the scene.
6. GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND.
When trying to recover after an accident, the last thing anyone wants is added stress. Retaining the services of a knowledgeable attorney will allow you to focus on your recovery while your attorney handles your personal injury claim.
While hiring a lawyer can be a more expensive process, it will yield better results. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that the attorney works for a percentage of any recovery made for you on your case and does not require the client to pay anything upfront. So, if no recovery is made, the client does not owe the attorney a dime.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, call us today for a free consultation! PHONE CARDONE at 504-522-3333, 225-706-3920 (Baton Rouge office) or email us at ccardone@cardonelaw.com.