Dealing With the Insurance Company
Insurance companies have made it tougher to collect medical costs that arise due to vehicle accidents. An 18-month study conducted by CNN showed the fight of your life could be in store for you if you are going up against a car insurance company to recoup your losses from an accident, even when the other driver is at fault!
This “hardball” strategy insurance-company's are using now is a fairly new trend. Two of the largest insurance companies, State Farm Insurance Company and Allstate Insurance Company are now being known for playing down and dirty. The CNN study shows the result of this strategy has turned huge profits for the insurance companies, but has had detrimental effects on the injured parties and their families.
The investigation reviewed over 6,000 documents and court records, as well as interviews with many people - including former employees of insurance companies, victims and various experts. They found that if you refuse to take the offer from the insurance companies, you will mot likely end up in court to deal with a drawn out legal battle while your other bills continue to grow. Without an experienced claims lawyer, your battle with insurance companies will most likely end with a lower settlement than the original offer was. Our Fresno personal injury attorneys are here to help you deal with the bad guys, and we can help you win.
One victim CNN spoke with suffered neck and back injuries after another driver sideswiped her. For three years she went back-and-forth with the insurance company to end up being offered a mere $15,000, this covered about half of lost income and medical bills. After finally taking the case to court, the jury awarded her $167,000 plus interest.
Even a minor car accident can cause serious injuries. Seniors and victims with preexisting conditions are easy targets for the insurance companies, who are quick to deny their claims. Regardless of age or medical issues a victim may have, they are entitled to compensation for the damage done. Many times both of these groups have asymptomatic conditions that are exacerbated by the accident. Insurance companies find these claims very easy to deny and settle out of court. But the attorneys in our Fresno law firm know how to combat this. We are seasoned professionals and highly experienced in dealing with the red tape and stonewalling insurance companies can dish out.
There are a few steps you can take to make sure you are protected if you get involved in an accident, whether major or minor. The first step is to get all information from the other parties: insurance companies, names and addresses of the parties involved in the accident as well as any witnesses. Take as many pictures as possible. This is easily done with a cell phone or disposable camera bought and kept in the vehicle. Get a thorough check-up from a hospital, regardless of how you feel at the time of the accident. Some symptoms could surface after several days up to a year or more. Having gone in for the check-up with the hospital guarantees a record of the possible injuries that could worsen over time.
If you or a loved one is tired of fighting with the insurance company as a result of a motorcycle accident, please contact our experienced lawyers today for a free consultation.