Beware Insurance Company Settlement Strategies
If you've been involved in a car accident or personal injury case in Washington, chances are the other party's insurance company already tried to contact you to attempt a settlement. Your first instinct may be to accept. This is understandable. Suffering an injury is traumatic, expensive, and you just want to move on with your life. However, insurance companies are only interested in protecting themselves and aren't looking out for your best interests.
Before giving any statements to an insurance company, speak to a Washington attorney to learn more about insurance company settlement strategies. Your lawyer will work to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your case.
Tactics to Watch Out For
Insurance companies employ several different strategies to attempt you to settle quickly and for a lower amount. Look out for and avoid these tactics:
- Statements: The other party's insurance company contacts you asking for a recorded statement. If you make any statements about your injuries and your medical situation changes later, you'll already be on record. Do not make any statements about an accident or injury without an attorney.
- Lowball Settlement: An insurance company contacts you immediately after your accident, offering you a lump sum amount of money. This may sound tempting, but you must also sign a waiver stating you will not take legal action in the future. At this point, you have no idea of the extent of your injuries or any property damage.
- Time-Based Settlement: The insurance company tells you that if you don't accept their offer, they won't offer you that amount again. This is untrue and designed to simply pressure you into accepting a low settlement. A Washington personal injury lawyer can help you get a higher settlement.
Insurance company settlement strategies can be confusing and aggressive. If you're considering pursuing a personal injury case, contact a Tacoma attorney before speaking to an insurance company.
