Insurance companies are the entities that often handle and defend against personal injury claims. This is because they are the ones to pay victims after they have been harmed by a policyholder, including a driver who carries their auto insurance, a business with commercial coverage, or even a medical professional with medical malpractice insurance. With financial stakes in personal injury cases, insurance companies focus a great deal of their energy, as well as their resources, into paying victims as little as they can. After all, they are corporations that want to protect their bottom line.
Unfortunately, the motives of insurance companies are not aligned with victims. They are driven by a prioritization of profits over people. This means insurance companies often go to great lengths and tap into deep resources to dispute, deny, and underpay claims – and to engage in practices where they capitalize on a victim's unfamiliarity with the law and the personal injury process.
At Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., our Woodbridge personal injury lawyers know how insurance companies operate all too well – as we’ve been fighting them on behalf of victims since 1974. That’s why we want to provide victims with important information to help them protect their rights. Below are some of the things an insurance company doesn’t want you to know.
- They aren’t not on your side – Think the insurance company is on your side? If you are a victim injured by one of their policyholders, think again. Although insurers commonly defend their policyholders against claims and lawsuits, they are ultimately on their own side. Don’t be misled into thinking they have your best interests in mind.
- You don’t have to speak with them – After an accident, you do not have to provide a statement to insurance companies. This is a tactic they use to get you to say something that can be used against you, such as an apology or admission of fault. You can speak with a lawyer instead who can handle communications with insurers on your behalf.
- They may already know your answers – If you do find yourself speaking to an insurance company, remember that they are looking out for their own interests. This means they may ask questions to which they already know the answers, and want you to provide conflicting information that can be used against you.
- You don’t have to immediately settle – After an accident, insurance companies might try to cut their losses by offering low-ball settlements. Their hope is that you will quickly accept, even if it proves to be less than you deserve or need. You do not have to settle with insurance companies on their first offer, and should instead consult a lawyer who can negotiate what you need based on the full scope of your losses.
- Disputing liability doesn’t mean you don’t have a case – If an insurance company disputes fault and denies liability for your damages, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. You can take further action, especially with the help of a lawyer, to prove fault and liability, or even take a case to trial when necessary.
- They can surveil you – Insurance companies are able to conduct surveillance during personal injury cases, and, although not always used, can use surveillance against you.
Dealing with the insurance company can be a difficult part of a personal injury case, and it is certainly not the only part. To ensure you take the right steps, get in touch with our personal injury lawyers at Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. Our firm provides free consultations, and collects no fee unless we successfully resolve your case. Contact us to get started.