Four Secrets Insurance Adjusters do Not Want You to Know
After a car accident, you will probably file a claim with the insurance company of the driver who is at fault for the collision. Unfortunately, as you will soon discover, you will be dealing with an insurance adjuster who is definitely not your best friend. Rather than make the claims process as easy as possible, the adjuster might throw roadblocks in your way.
To make obtaining compensation possible, we want to let you in on some of the secrets of the trade.
Secret #1: Insurance Companies Make Money by Denying Claims
Insurance is big business, and companies protect their bottom line by paying out as few claims as possible. Every month the insurance company is happy to accept a driver’s insurance premiums.
But when it comes time to pay an injured motorist, it will look for every reason to deny a claim.
At our firm, we have seen everything:
● The insurance adjuster denies that their driver was at fault.
● The insurance adjuster minimizes your injuries and claims you are exaggerating.
● The insurance adjuster is difficult to get a hold of.
● The insurance adjuster pins responsibility for the accident entirely on you.
The fewer claims a company needs to pay, the more money they can make, so be prepared for a struggle to get compensation.
Secret #2: Injured Motorists Rarely Benefit by Accepting a Quick Settlement
After a collision, you might be worried about how to pay medical bills and replace your lost wages. In a moment of great financial distress, you might snatch at the first settlement an insurance company dangles in front of you.
Unfortunately, the first settlement offer is usually much lower than what your injuries are worth. By waiting out the insurance company, you can maximize the compensation you receive.
Secret #3: Insurance Companies do Not Like Seeing Motorists Represented by Attorneys
Some insurance adjusters present themselves as neutral arbiters who will make a generous offer to you. “You do not even need a lawyer,” they might tell you.
In fact, the insurance companies are expecting that you will not know how to negotiate an
effective settlement. This is where an experienced car accident attorney can make or break a case. At our firm, we have negotiated with most of North Carolina’s largest insurers, so we understand how to drive a hard bargain for our clients’ benefit. When an insurance adjuster gets a phone call from us, they know that you mean business.
Secret #4: Pain and Suffering Damages Might Make up Most of Your Compensation
You might think that medical bills and lost wages will make up the bulk of your settlement. In some cases this might be true. However, for more severe injuries, your pain and suffering may be worth several times the amount of compensation you receive for economic losses like hospital bills. Most motorists do not know this, which is why they settle too early for not enough money.
In an Auto Wreck? Contact Us Today
The Wilmington car accident attorneys at Hodges Coxe Potter & Phillips have decades of experience negotiating favorable settlement with tough insurance adjusters. Based on our experience, we understand how to present your case the right way so that you reserve the compensation you deserve. To schedule your free consultation, reach out to us today.
