After a car accident in Tennessee, you may feel relieved knowing you have insurance to help cover your damages. However, while insurance companies play a crucial role in the aftermath of an accident, it’s important to remember that they are profit-driven businesses—not advocates for accident victims.
Relying solely on insurance companies can leave you vulnerable to delayed or reduced compensation. Here’s why you shouldn’t rely on insurance companies alone after a crash and why consulting with our Memphis personal injury lawyers at the Gold Law Firm is crucial.
Insurance Companies Are Focused on Their Bottom Line
Insurance companies are in the business of maximizing profits, which means they often aim to minimize payouts. They employ experienced adjusters whose primary job is to protect the company’s financial interests. Even if your claim seems straightforward, adjusters may look for ways to reduce your compensation by downplaying the severity of your injuries or questioning the validity of your claim. Unfortunately, this can leave you with less compensation than you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
Initial Settlement Offers Are Often Low
One standard tactic insurance companies use is offering a quick, low settlement to accident victims. These initial offers are typically far below what you may be entitled to, but the insurance company hopes you’ll accept quickly to close the case. While accepting a fast payout can be tempting, especially if you’re facing immediate expenses, it’s rarely enough to cover the full scope of your damages. Consulting our personal injury attorneys allows you to better assess the value of your claim before accepting any offers.
They May Try to Shift the Blame
Insurance companies often attempt to assign partial or full blame for the accident to the victim. Tennessee follows a “modified comparative fault” rule, which means your compensation can be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident. If the insurer proves you are responsible, they can decrease the amount they owe. Insurance adjusters may use statements made shortly after the accident or inconsistencies in medical records to argue fault. Speaking with our attorneys before giving any official statement to the insurance company can protect you from inadvertently jeopardizing your claim.
Medical Evaluations May Be Challenged
Insurance companies often scrutinize medical records and may challenge the necessity or cost of certain treatments. Adjusters sometimes argue that specific injuries aren’t related to the accident or that a victim’s treatment plan is excessive. This practice is widespread with “soft tissue” injuries or conditions that require long-term care. Working with our Memphis personal injury attorneys can ensure that your medical records are accurately presented, and we can advocate for the compensation you need to cover your medical bills.
Delays and Stalling Tactics
In some cases, insurance companies may intentionally delay processing claims to pressure victims into settling for a lower amount out of frustration or financial necessity. These delays can prevent you from covering medical bills or repairing your vehicle promptly. Our experienced attorneys can help expedite the process by handling communications with the insurance company, keeping your claim on track, and pushing for prompt responses.
Complexities in Understanding Policy Details
Insurance policies are often filled with complex language and stipulations that can be difficult for accident victims to interpret. For example, some policies have limitations or exclusions that could impact your compensation. Without a deep understanding of insurance law, it can be challenging to navigate these details. Our attorneys can review your policy, identify the coverage you’re entitled to, and fight for a fair payout based on the terms of your plan.
The Benefits of Consulting Our Memphis Car Accident Attorneys
While insurance companies are skilled at protecting their bottom line, our Memphis car accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting your interests.
Here’s how we can help:
- Evaluate Your Claim’s True Value: Our attorneys understand the full scope of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs. Based on these factors, we can calculate a fair settlement amount.
- Negotiate for Maximum Compensation: We are experienced negotiators who can resist low settlement offers and counter insurance adjusters’ tactics for reducing claims.
- Handle All Communication: By allowing our attorneys to handle discussions with the insurance company, you reduce the risk of saying anything that could harm your claim. We will ensure all communications are in your best interest.
- Provide Legal Guidance Every Step of the Way: We will guide you through each step, from filing a claim to taking legal action if necessary. Our experience can provide peace of mind and help secure your compensation.
If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident caused by negligence, call David Gold. With over 165 five-star reviews, hundreds of client testimonials, and tens of millions in damages collected for clients throughout Tennessee, We can start on your case with no up-front fee or out-of-pocket expense. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee.
Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve. Call or text (901) 244-5003 or contact us online for your free consultation today.