Do You Trust the Insurance Company? Four Reasons to Think Twice!

Envision the following scenario: You have been involved in a car accident that has left you with serious injuries. The collision was not your fault and you now face the prospects of ongoing physical therapy; a totaled vehicle; thousands of dollars in medical bills; missed time at work, and now bill collectors are starting to call.

It goes without saying, this can be a lot to handle.

If you have never been faced with this situation before, there will likely be dozens of questions, and you will need to place your trust in someone who will do what is right and transparently guide you through the personal injury claim process.

The multi-million dollar advertising campaigns of insurance companies would like for you to believe that they are on your side. But is this always true?

Attorney Boulton has been helping Indiana accident victims for more than 20 years, and during this time he has talked with injured people throughout the state who claimed they were treated wrongly or unfairly by the insurance company.

The following are examples of how the insurance company may potentially mislead injured people:

1) Discouraging ongoing medical treatment or rush to settle

Accident victims might occasionally report that they felt rushed by an insurance adjuster to wrap up their medical treatment and/or settle their claim.

The reason an insurance company might be reluctant to encourage victims to seek additional treatment (or hurry to settle) is because they do not want to be held responsible for any possible long-term health concerns. If a person’s injuries are found to be more extensive than first thought, it would mean the insurance company potentially faces much greater liability.

Accident victims should never be forced to rush treatment or listen to anyone except their doctors when it concerns their health. You know your body best, and if you are experiencing ongoing pain or symptoms, it is critical that you stay under your doctor’s care until he grants you a full release.

2) Recorded statements

One priority on the insurance company’s checklist is to have accident victims agree to a recorded statement as quickly as possible. Why do they do this?

While recorded statements may seem harmless, many accident victims have unknowingly damaged their personal injury claim by answering a question improperly, or making a seemingly innocent remark that can be used against them to limit the insurance company’s exposure.

Insurance adjusters are given specific training on how to administer recorded statements. Without the assistance of an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney to guide you through this step, you risk losing all or a percentage of potential compensation.

3) Closing the file

Boulton Law Group has talked with a number of accident victims who were concerned when the adjuster advised them over the phone or by letter that the insurance company would be “closing their file.” This has the potential to be confusing and very misleading.

To someone not familiar with insurance company tactics, it would be easy to interpret “closing your file” as meaning they are “closing your case.” These two phrases do not always mean the same thing.

In reality, when insurance companies do not hear from the victim for some time, or the victim has not had time to return calls, the adjuster will sometimes issue a “closed file” warning. In most instances, this is simply an attempt to get you to react or make a decision.

The date an accident victim should never ignore is the case’s statute of limitations. This is the time limit you have to settle the case before it expires, prohibiting you from making any financial recovery.

Ultimately, to ensure that you are not jeopardizing your claim, you should always verify your statute date with an attorney who focuses exclusively on personal injury cases.

4) Poor explanation of coverages

When first purchasing a car insurance policy it is critical that you have a full understanding of Indiana’s requirements as well as the consequences you could potentially face if you select the minimum coverage.

If the insurance company encourages or directs you toward the cheapest option, it may prove a mistake if you are involved in an accident that requires comprehensive coverage.

While it is understandable that most of us need to limit expenses and want a low monthly insurance payment, it is also surprising to many people how much insurance coverage is available for a small increase in their monthly premium.

If you have questions about your existing car insurance policy, Boulton Law Group can review all your potential options with you at no cost.

Additionally, we have also witnessed instances where an accident victim was unaware of the total amount of insurance available to them because the insurance company failed to thoroughly investigate all potential policies and the total dollars available to cover your losses.

Talk to Boulton Law Group BEFORE settling your case

There is no risk to speak with the Boulton Law Group about your injury claim.

In fact, we offer a Zero Fee Guarantee to all Indiana accident victims. This means that you will never be charged for advice, questions, or consultations about your accident and injury. The only time we receive payment for our legal services is after you hire us and we win your case.

Attorney Boulton has counseled thousands of accident victims and advised them on what to avoid when dealing with the insurance company. His experience in dealing directly with the insurance company, whether it be during a recorded statement or at trial, serves as a valuable factor in his clients’ cases.

To speak to attorney Boulton about your insurance company questions, call direct at 317-350-2680. Or you can write to us with your questions by using our confidential contact form.