You have insurance because it is required by law and you expect all other motorists to have insurance as well. When you are hit by a car when crossing the street, you expect the negligent driver’s insurance company to pay for your medical costs, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages.
The insurance company, however, has a different goal. They want to maximize their profits by collecting as much as possible in insurance premiums and paying out as little as possible for accident damages.
How the Insurance Company Tries to Avoid Paying Injured Pedestrians
Insurance companies know when they have to pay claims. However, insurance adjusters may try to avoid paying legitimate claims or pay less than an injured pedestrian deserves by:
- Pretending to be your friend. The insurance adjuster may be very friendly and seem genuinely interested in how you are feeling, your daily activities, and your latest medical appointments. By being kind, the insurance adjuster hopes to get you to contradict yourself or admit that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim.
- Having you sign a general medical release authorization. A general medical release authorization allows the insurance company to access all of your medical records. After reviewing your records, the insurance company might try to deny your claim based on a pre-existing condition.
- Pressuring you to sign a settlement quickly. The insurance adjuster may pressure you into taking a low settlement quickly. Once you agree to a settlement, it is final. Therefore, you should not accept any compensation without reviewing the settlement agreement with your lawyer.
- Taking a recorded statement. The insurance adjuster may request a recorded statement and ask misleading questions or misinterpret your answers and use them against you later.
- Misrepresenting the insurance coverage. The insurance company may claim that their client has less insurance coverage than he actually does to try to get you to accept a lower settlement.
- Encouraging you not to talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer. The insurance company doesn’t want you to know your rights and is afraid of what you may learn from a pedestrian accident attorney.
Often, insurance adjusters will use more than one of these tactics to try to pay you less than you deserve.
Protect Your Pedestrian Accident Recovery
You deserve fair compensation for your past and future:
- Healthcare costs
- Lost income
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Other damages
Once you hire an Orlando pedestrian accident lawyer, the insurance company will communicate with your attorney, and you won’t have to worry about whether the insurance company is trying to trick you so that they don’t have to pay you as much financial compensation.
Attorney Louis Berk will make sure that you are treated fairly and will fight for your fair recovery of damages. Contact Louis Berk Law today to learn more.