Insurance companies begin investigations when victims file a personal injury claim. Ideally, the goal is to determine how much your claim is worth. However, these companies want to make money and will attempt to reduce compensation as much as possible or deny them altogether.

Understanding the dos and don’ts when communicating with insurance adjusters can significantly determine how much you receive as compensation. Here are some tricks they use and suggestions to beat them.

Delays in the Claims Process

Dragging the paperwork, canceling meetings, and ignoring phone calls may be calculated moves in the insurance company’s favor. The goal may be to get you aggravated.

Your frustrations can lead you to one of three decisions:

• Give up on the claim and shoulder the bills out-of-pocket.
• Accept whatever little settlement they are offering just to get over with it.
• Beg them for a payment because the bills are due, so that they can exploit your vulnerability.

Knowing this trick can help victims remain calm and firm in their fight for justice. They can also protect themselves from this abuse by consulting a personal injury lawyer in New Jersey for guidance.

Attempting to Reduce Damages

The insurance company knows that you likely have proof of expenses and future damages, but that will not stop them from trying to shortchange you.

Beware of “Friendly Calls”

Insurance adjusters are not your friends. They are not trying to befriend you to learn of more damages for which they must compensate. Instead, they hope you slip and say something they may use against you. An innocent statement such as “I wish I had not made that move” may be construed to imply that you are admitting fault.

Talking about innocent topics like your health can allow the insurance adjuster to deny or reduce your claim based on preexisting health conditions. Victims should keep communication with insurance companies formal and official.

“You Cannot Afford a Lawyer”

The company knows it has a higher chance of arm-twisting an average consumer into accepting a lower settlement than an experienced lawyer would. Be careful when an insurance adjuster says you do not need legal representation.

The truth is that personal injury lawyers typically get paid on a contingency basis. So, you only pay if you win, and initial consultations are free. The fee is usually a percentage of your compensation.

Offering to Settle Quickly

Many have heard that insurance claims take years to settle. So, when victims find out their insurance company wants to pay them quickly, they jump at the opportunity. But quick settlements can be a trap.

The victim may not have enough time to compile their damages before they sign a settlement agreement. It can be too late to reverse their decisions if they realize the money is less than they deserve. Read each document carefully before signing to avoid inadvertently accepting conditions you disagree with.

If you suspect the company is trying this reverse psychology on you, contact a NJ personal injury attorney. A lawyer can shield you from these unjust practices.

You may also file a complaint against an insurance company that unlawfully denies your claim to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, NJDOBI.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

As discussed, victims stand a better chance against insurance companies, with a personal injury lawyer in New Jersey helping them.

A lawyer helps with the following:

• Taking over the jargon-packed communication with the insurance company.
• Filling and filing paperwork.
• Taking over negotiations.
• Keeping track of appointments.
• Filing a lawsuit when negotiations fail.
• Freeing up your time so you can heal and continue with your life.

If you are a victim of personal injury in New Jersey, contact the Law Office of Peter Briskin. We will file the claim for you. We can also take over a case you already filed. Call us to find out how much your claim is worth.