When it comes to negotiating an injury claim, insurance companies have seen and heard it all. As for-profit companies, insurance companies are looking to protect those profits by looking for fraud and denying claims. In many cases, they have a litany of defenses in order not to award you the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies have an arsenal of lawyers on their side to ensure that they are not paying too much for your claim. In most cases, they are trying to pay as little as possible.
When it comes to settlements, your insurance company has a toolkit of ways in which they can use to downplay your claim. Here are some arguments they will use.
They Think You are Being Over treated or They Feel Your Medical Care is Too Expensive
The too expensive or over treatment argument is one that insurance companies fall back on time and again. You will want to take care that the frequency of your medical care in addition to the intensity and duration needs to be supported by your medical records. Your medical documentation needs to set out what is necessary for your recovery and you must abide by it.
There Are Gaps in Your Care or You Have Missed Appointments
One of the most important thing you can do as an injury claimant is to seek prompt medical attention and follow the advice religiously. Maintaining consistent care after an injury is imperative. Failing to seek medical attention is not only harmful to your health but harmful to an injury claim. If your insurance company feels your health is not your priority, they will make the argument that your injuries can’t be that bad.
They See Contradictions in Your Statements About Your Injuries
Before you speak with an insurance adjuster, it is always important to speak with an injury lawyer. Edmonton injury lawyers have seen this happen time and again where a claimant makes inadvertent statements to an adjuster that have come back to damage their claim. This is also the case if you have not disclosed previous ailments.
You Have a Pre-Existing Condition
Although you are protected by the thin-skull or eggshell rule which means your pre-existing condition cannot be held against you, your insurance company will need corroborating medical records setting out your condition before and after the accident.
They Feel You are Not Credible
Your credibility or trustworthiness can be a perception that leaves your integrity open to question. Fair or not, how you represent yourself and your injuries makes a difference in how the insurance company sees your honesty. Another way they will question your credibility is if you have had previous lawsuits. Called a vexatious litigant, this might have consequences for your injury claim.
If you have been injured in an accident, your best course of action is to get the advice of an experienced Edmonton personal injury lawyer. Call the legal professionals at BPCAB Personal Injury Lawyer in order to understand your legal rights after an accident.