If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be facing an uphill battle to get the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. As a result, they will often use various strategies to try to reduce the amount of money they have to pay out on a claim. So, hiring a lawyer is the best option for you. They will review your case, advise you on the next steps, and help you get maximum compensation for your slip and fall claim.
Here are some of the 6 most common tactics the insurance companies often play to reduce the slip and fall compensation and how you can fight against them.
Not explaining their policies properly.
The insurance company will likely try to contact you immediately after the accident. They may try to get you to give them a recorded statement or sign paperwork without fully understanding your agreement. You mustn’t provide a recorded statement or sign any paperwork without first consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Downplay your extent of injuries
The insurance company will try to downplay the extent of your injuries. They may request copies of your medical records and then cherry-pick the records that support their position. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to obtain your relevant medical records and use them to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries.
Blaming you
The insurance company will try to place the blame on you for the accident. For example, they may argue that you were not paying attention or that you should have seen the hazard that caused you to fall. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help counter these arguments by gathering evidence and witness testimony that shows that the property owner was at fault for the accident.
Minimize your claim
The insurance company will try to minimize the value of your claim. They might do this by arguing that your injuries are not as severe as you claim or that you would have suffered them even if you had not been involved in the accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help refute these arguments by presenting expert testimony and other evidence demonstrating the full value of your claim.
Dragging the claim process
The insurance company will try to drag out the claims process to pressure you into settling for less than what your claim is worth. They may do this by delaying requests for information or missing deadlines for processing paperwork. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help keep things on track and ensure that you are not taken advantage of during the claims process.
Force you to accept less money
The insurance company will likely make a lowball settlement offer to get you to accept less money than what your claim is worth. However, they may insist that their offer is fair or tell you they will deny your claim altogether if you do not accept it. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help assess the true value of your claim and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
Conclusion:
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to be aware of the common tactics that insurance companies will use to try to reduce the amount of money they have to pay out on your claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and fight for the full compensation you deserve.