Is it necessary to hire an attorney for a personal injury claim after an accident? It depends. If the accident was basically a fender-bender with no or minor injuries, most people would handle the claim on their own. However, when the victim is severely injured, statistically, accident victims receive more compensation with the assistance of an experienced attorney with a successful track record than they would without an attorney.
Many accidents fall into a gray area, though. The injuries are more than a scrape but do not require the victim to spend days or weeks in the hospital. The accident victim may decide to negotiate with the insurance company on their own.
Following are four of the most common mistakes people make when negotiating with an insurance company.
1. The Victim Makes a Recorded Statement
Insurance adjusters usually say the claim cannot be settled until the victim makes a recorded statement. While there are exceptions, usually this isn’t true. The insurance companies want this statement for two reasons: to reduce or eliminate the claim and to use the information against the victim in court. Never give a recorded statement by yourself. If a recorded statement does become a legal necessity, an attorney can arrange for the statement to be given under controlled conditions, limiting potential damage to the case.
2. The Victim Demands Too Much or Not Enough
An experienced injury attorney will know approximately what the claim is worth. Asking too much or too little sends a signal that the victim doesn’t know the true value of their claim and often results in the claim settling for less than what it is worth.
3. The Victim Assumes the System Is Fair and Makes Sense
Indiana accident law has taken shape over time and is intended to be fair, but it is complex and confusing. Inexperienced attorneys and accident victims can be taken advantage of.
4. Settling for the Insurance Company’s “Final Offer”.
There is the final offer, and then there is the next final offer, followed by another final offer. If you don’t know what the claim is worth, you can lose a lot of money that you deserve.
The attorneys at McGlone Law have more than 65 years of combined legal experience. They know what your case is worth and how to fight for your interests against the insurance companies. Contact McGlone Law today for a free consultation.
