Insurance often plays a significant role in personal injury litigation. The insured pays a premium to the insurance company to protect them from the costs of liability in case of an accident. If there is an accident, that the insurance company will pay at least a portion of the costs of the liability. Because most drivers, property owners and business owners buy insurance to protect themselves from the costs of liability, an insurance company will often be responsible for compensating the injured party. At the point of litigation, an insurance company’s primary goal is to reduce the amount that they must pay to the injured party. To achieve this goal an insurance company will attempt to minimize the liability of the insured by attempting to shift the fault and liability back on to the injured party or onto a third party. Insurance companies may also attempt to settle a case for significantly less than it might be worth if the case had gone to trial. If an insurance company contacts you, do not give them any specifics about the accident or your injuries, do not sign anything, and avoid the urge to settle quickly – you may not yet know what your claim is worth. You, or your lawyer, may need to give more specific information about the accident later on in the process. However, in the initial contact with an insurance company you should only give basic personal information such as your name and address. Keep in mind that insurance companies are driven by the bottom line to make money, not to fairly compensate injured parties. They are experts at manipulating the law and the situation to reduce the amount of money they must pay. Insurance companies will not hesitate to pressure an injured person to settle a case prematurely for less than the injured legally deserves. It is to the advantage of any claimant to be represented by a lawyer familiar with personal injury law and experienced in dealing with insurance companies. |
