How an Attorney Can Help Insurance Disputes

Accidents can be tragic, life-changing events. They are never planned for; therefore, people aren't normally mentally prepared for them, or what to do after they happen. Typically the days or weeks after an unfortunate accident are a mad scramble to seek medical help, letting one's employer know that they cannot work, finding someone to care for the pets and often times finding someone to care for their children.

When our vehicle has been destroyed in an auto accident, multiple phone calls will be made to insurance companies, and car rental companies. If the car has been totaled, someone will have to go to the wrecking yard to remove personal belongings from the vehicle and arrangements will have to be made to turn over the vehicle.

Other types of accidents not involving motor vehicles can also require extensive hospital stays. Arrangements will have to be made for someone else to care for the home, pets and the family. When the victim is seriously injured and unable to make such arrangements, someone else will have to handle things for them.

Needless to say, serious accidents can turn someone's life upside down for extended periods of time. Not only will the victim have to focus on receiving medical treatment, but they will have to figure out how they will manage their life from a hospital bed, or while convalescing at home. The last thing they should be doing is negotiating with insurance companies when they are both unqualified to estimate their claim, and when they are lacking the full physical and mental capacities to go up against large insurance companies.

After an accident, the insurance company has the advantage over an accident victim. Some victims are unable to speak for themselves due to their medical condition; they may need a spouse, family member or friend to help them. While others may be very concerned about how they are going to make ends meet, and in a rush to obtain a settlement, they may accept an offer far below what their claim is worth.

Accident victims should never represent themselves against an insurance company. Insurance companies are in the business of keeping their bottom line as low as possible, and their profit margin high. Even if you are trying to get money from your own insurance company, don't make the mistake of thinking that they are motivated to pay you more just because they are your carrier, or because you pay them payments every month.

Even though people pay premiums to their insurance company, it does not mean that their insurance company won't deny their claim, or offer them a low-ball settlement. It is a widely known fact that an insurance company is likely to offer an accident victim far less on their claim when they are acting alone, than if they had an attorney involved. A lawyer will have the resources necessary to hire vocational experts and economists that can establish your past and future losses. They can also hire independent medical experts, that will be able to have a better estimation of your ongoing medical care, any rehabilitation, or future surgeries that might be necessary.