What You Need to Know When Dealing with Insurance After an Injury

Your Rights Matter: A Guide for Injured People

Key Things You Should Know:

1. You have the right to proper medical treatment. Some insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims and may try to discourage necessary medical care.
2. You have the right to legal representation. Insurance adjusters may try to settle directly with you because it’s often cheaper for the insurance company when claimants don’t have attorneys.
3. You deserve fair compensation. This includes payment for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to your injury.
4. Be cautious about “jump in” situations. In urban areas especially, there are cases where people falsely claim to be passengers in vehicles involved in accidents.
5. Document everything. Keep records of all medical visits, treatments, and conversations with insurance representatives.
6. Be aware of age and recovery expectations. Insurance companies know that younger people typically heal faster than older individuals and may use this to limit treatment duration.
7. Watch for tactics to discourage attorney involvement. Adjusters are often restricted from telling you not to hire an attorney or from disparaging attorneys.
8. Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses. They aim to pay as little as possible on claims to maintain their financial goals.

Remember: Legitimate adjusters will tell you that they want to ensure your claim is handled fairly, but their primary duty is to their employer, meaning you are never going to get “fair.”  What an adjuster and an insurer think is fair is often ridiculous.  Understanding this relationship helps you navigate the claims process more effectively. For even moderate injuries, call me.