Ten Secrets the Louisiana Insurance Adjuster Won’t Share With You About Your Car Accident Claim
» What is your case worth in Louisiana?
» Signing the insurance company’s release form may damage your case
» The bill collectors can be stopped
» How to handle being injured by a relative or friend
» What to do if injured by an uninsured or under-insured driver
» If you are getting a fair offer from the insurance adjuster
» Whether or not your case will go to trial
» The medical insurance adjuster cannot limit the medical treatment you receive
» That you should consider hiring a Louisiana attorney
1) What your case is worth in Louisiana?
I suffered injuries that require medical treatment as a result of an auto accident. How much extra compensation will I get for the “pain and suffering” I am dealing with?
Good question. But if you knew that going in, you’re psychic and you should go out immediately and buy a winning lottery ticket. The fact is, in addition to funds for medical bills, lost wages, and automobile repairs, insurance companies usually put money aside to pay for pain and suffering. Then they will attempt to pay you as little as possible from that pot of money. In order to know if what you’re being offered is fair, you need the services of an experienced law firm. Our office has settled numerous injury cases. Call us today for a free consultation. Our guidance can be invaluable in making sure you get the maximum compensation possible for your pain and suffering.
2) Signing the insurance company’s release form may damage your case
The insurance company has given me property damage and medical release forms. Should I sign them without a lawyer?
No! Anything that you are asked to sign, without fully understanding what it is and its potential effects, should be avoided. Never sign a release for medical records or property damage until you have spoken to us. Our office will evaluate what you are being asked to sign at no charge and let you know if it is okay to do so.
3) Hiring an attorney that has experience handling car accident injury cases in Louisiana may benefit your case
In the past, I’ve used a family attorney for things like wills, taxes and real estate sales. Do I really need to work with an attorney who focuses his practice in accident and injury law?
Just as different doctors have different specialties to treat different illnesses, attorneys generally specialize in specific aspects of the law. You wouldn’t ask your family doctor to perform brain surgery, so don’t expect your brother-in-law, tax attorney to handle an accident claim. When taking on a big insurance company, you need a team who knows what they’re up against, and how to best represent your case. We keep up with current laws, court decisions, and regulations affecting accident and injury cases. We’re the ones to call.
4) The bill collectors can be stopped
My medical bills are piling up, and my credit is being jeopardized. What can I do to stop the bill collector’s calls?
There are many state and federal laws that protect you from harassment from bill collectors. However, if you do owe money, in the long run, your creditors will have to be paid. At the Law Office of Keith L. Magness, LLC, we can negotiate with your creditors on your behalf and work to set up special arrangements to halt the bill collectors and delay immediate payment by having your medical bills paid directly from your future settlement.
5) How to handle being injured by a relative or friend
I was injured in an accident due to the fault of a relative or friend. Can I still get a settlement without causing them financial harm?
When injured by a relative or friend, you still need to be compensated, but naturally, you don’t want to financially harm anyone close to you. In cases like these, the best strategy is to make a claim only against the person’s insurance company – within the policy limits – and not against the person him or herself. You may wind up with less money, but you’re doing the right thing.
6) What to do if injured by an uninsured or under-insured driver
I was injured in an accident with an uninsured driver. My insurance policy provides for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but I am confused about what that means.
Unfortunately, many drivers’ insurance policies – if they have them – have limits that are far below what you may deserve as an accident victim. However, your own policy might protect you against this, and you may even be able to make a claim against your own insurance company. At this point, though, you should understand another secret. Even though you’ve been paying premiums to it for years, your insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible for your pain and suffering. Don’t get angry; it’s just business.
Let us review your policy for you and if a claim against your own insurance company is possible, we will fight to get you the money you deserve.
7) If you are getting a fair offer from the insurance adjuster
I thought about negotiating with the insurance company on my own. How can I know if the insurance company’s offer is fair?
You can’t. Fair is a pretty subjective term. What you may think is fair is likely going to be different from what the insurance adjuster thinks. Remember, he works for the company you are making a claim against and is paid to negotiate and settle your claim for the lowest possible amount. That’s why you need the help of an experienced law firm. Based on numerous settlements, we have the knowledge and expertise to help ensure that you get a truly fair settlement for your claim.
8) Whether or not your case will go to trial
If I hire a lawyer, will my case require a trial?
You never want to go to trial unless it is absolutely necessary, even though you always have that right. But trials take more time and cost more money. That’s why it is usually more productive for both sides to negotiate out of court. However, if an insurance company refuses to pay what’s fair, we are always ready to take your case to court to get you the compensation to which you are entitled.
9) The medical insurance adjuster cannot limit the medical treatment you receive
I’ve been hurt in an accident and need to see a specialist. Can the insurance company limit who or what doctors I can see?
No. The insurance company cannot limit the type of medical treatment you receive up to the limits of the policy. In fact, it is legally obligated to compensate you for all “reasonable” medical treatment with the best care available. Just make sure that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident and all keep records of appointments and expenses. If necessary, we can assist you in finding appropriate medical care, even if you have no health insurance.
10) That you should consider hiring a Louisiana attorney
Why does the insurance adjuster say that they can easily settle my case without me involving a lawyer?
You are not an expert in these matters and the insurance company is. As unkind as it may seem, it is not illegal for the adjuster to try and devalue what your claim is worth. The simple fact is the insurance companies don’t want you to know what the real value of your case is.
You will need an attorney to represent you if you want to maximize your settlement. In fact, a study by the Insurance Research Council showed that, on average, people who hired an attorney received three and a half times as much money as people who decided to go it alone. Call the Law Office of Keith L. Magness, LLC today. We want to be on your team.
Our Guarantee
If the insurance company has already made you an offer, our guarantee is that we will recover more money (net dollars) on your behalf. And if we don’t, we will not charge you a fee – GUARANTEED!
