Level the Playing Field: How Our Lawyers Will Help You Take on Insurance Companies
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When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the aftermath can be overwhelming. On top of your physical recovery, you may be faced with medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll of the injury itself. The last thing you need is the added stress of dealing with an insurance company that’s more focused on protecting their bottom line than offering fair compensation for your pain and suffering.
Insurance companies have one goal in mind: to pay as little as possible. They often offer low-ball settlements in an attempt to close your case quickly, but these offers rarely reflect the full extent of your injuries and the long-term impact on your life. As a personal injury victim, you deserve more than what the insurance companies are offering, and you shouldn’t be bullied into accepting a settlement that doesn’t fully compensate you for your losses.
The Insurance Company’s Tactics: How They Try to Shortchange You
Insurance companies aren’t looking out for your best interests—they are focused on minimizing their payout to protect their bottom line. After an injury, they’ll often use several tactics to get you to accept a lower settlement offer than what you truly deserve. Here’s a closer look at some of the common tactics insurance companies employ:
Downplaying the Severity of Your Injury: One of the most common tactics insurance companies use is to downplay the extent of your injuries. They may argue that your injuries are minor or that they’re not as severe as you claim. They often look for ways to discredit your medical records, pushing you to settle quickly before you fully understand the long-term effects of your injury. Their goal is to settle the case for as little as possible, without considering the full scope of pain, suffering, and future medical costs.
Offering Quick, Low Settlements: Insurance companies often offer you a quick settlement in the hopes that you’ll accept it without seeking legal advice. This offer is typically much lower than what you deserve and may seem tempting, especially if you’re dealing with medical bills and lost wages. However, accepting a settlement offer too soon can be detrimental to your case, as you may not know the full extent of your injuries or how long your recovery will take.
Pressure to Settle Early: Insurance adjusters know that injury victims are under financial strain, and they may pressure you to settle quickly, before you’ve had time to consider the full impact of your injury. They might try to rush you into accepting a settlement by creating a sense of urgency. The goal is to get you to agree to a low settlement offer, often without the proper legal advice, so they can close the case quickly.
Minimizing Long-Term Effects: Sometimes, insurance companies will attempt to downplay the long-term effects of an injury, arguing that you will recover fully or that your injuries won’t have any lasting consequences. They may use experts or biased medical opinions to claim that your condition will improve in a short amount of time, even if it’s clear that your injuries will require ongoing care and rehabilitation. This tactic is designed to undervalue your claim and limit the amount they have to pay you.
Requesting Recorded Statements: Insurance companies may ask you to give a recorded statement about the incident or your injuries, which can be used against you later. They may attempt to get you to admit fault or minimize the extent of your injuries in these statements. It’s crucial to avoid giving a statement to the insurance company before speaking with a personal injury attorney. Anything you say can be twisted and used to reduce your settlement.
Delaying Your Claim: Some insurance companies may try to delay your claim to frustrate you into accepting a lower settlement or even abandoning the case. They may drag their feet in processing paperwork, requesting unnecessary documents, or simply taking longer than necessary to respond to your case. This tactic can add unnecessary stress to your already difficult situation and leave you feeling like there’s no other option but to settle for less.
Using Lowball Offers to Settle Fast: In some cases, the insurance company may offer you an initial low settlement, hoping you’ll accept it out of desperation. This offer is often far below what your claim is worth. If you’re not familiar with the full range of compensation available to you, you might consider accepting the offer. However, this settlement won’t cover your future medical costs, pain and suffering, or lost wages. Once you accept an offer, you can’t go back and ask for more.
How We Protect You: Our Approach to Fighting Insurance Tactics
At DuFault Law, we know how important it is to protect your rights and ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve after an injury. Our approach goes far beyond simply negotiating with insurance companies. We actively work to defend your interests at every step of the process, from initial claim to final settlement (or litigation if necessary). Here’s a detailed look at how we protect you and help maximize your compensation:
1. Comprehensive Case Evaluation and Injury Assessment: Before we start negotiating, we make sure to fully understand the depth of your injury. Our attorneys will take the time to assess both the short-term and long-term impact on your life, taking into account:
Medical Documentation: We work closely with your healthcare providers to gather all necessary medical records and expert opinions on your injury. This includes details about your treatment, the prognosis, and any ongoing care you might need.
Future Medical Costs: We also look ahead to any future medical expenses related to your injury, such as surgeries, physical therapy, or long-term rehabilitation, so that these are included in your claim.
Impact on Your Lifestyle: We understand that injuries can affect more than just your health. We assess the toll your injury takes on your ability to work, your relationships, and your overall quality of life, ensuring that every aspect of your suffering is reflected in your claim.
2. Complete Control Over Insurance Communications: Once you hire DuFault Law, we take over all communications with the insurance company. This is important because:
Preventing Pressure and Manipulation: Insurance adjusters are trained to use high-pressure tactics to get you to settle quickly. When you have a legal team on your side, we ensure you aren’t manipulated into a rushed decision.
Protecting Your Statements: As mentioned, insurance companies may ask for recorded statements that they can twist to minimize your claim. We handle all conversations and ensure you don’t inadvertently harm your case.
Managing Delays: If the insurance company is dragging their feet or delaying your claim, we will push for timely responses and hold them accountable. Our goal is to keep your case moving forward efficiently.
3. Aggressive Negotiation for Fair Compensation: Insurance companies may offer low settlements because they know many victims aren’t aware of the true value of their claim. We fight hard to ensure you’re getting the best possible outcome:
Maximizing Your Claim Value: Using our extensive knowledge of personal injury law, we ensure that all damages are accounted for. This includes not just immediate medical bills and lost wages, but also future expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Third-Party Experts: To strengthen your case, we often bring in third-party experts like medical professionals, economists, and life care planners. These experts can provide additional evidence of the long-term impact your injuries will have on your life, helping to justify a higher settlement offer.
Negotiation Skills: Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who will push the insurance company to give you a fair settlement. If they still refuse to offer a reasonable amount, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.
4. Taking Your Case to Trial if Necessary: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we don’t hesitate to take your case to trial. Many law firms may settle quickly to avoid the courtroom, but DuFault Law is dedicated to getting you the justice you deserve, no matter the challenge. Here’s how we prepare for trial:
Trial-Ready Case: From day one, we prepare your case as if it’s going to trial, ensuring that we have all the necessary evidence and expert testimonies lined up.
Relentless Advocacy: In the courtroom, our experienced trial attorneys will fight for your best interests, presenting a compelling case to the judge and jury. We don’t back down until you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
Maximizing Your Award: A trial may result in a larger financial award than a settlement offer. We work to ensure that you’re not just compensated for your immediate expenses, but for your future losses as well.
5. Personalized, Client-Focused Approach: One of the most important ways we protect you is by keeping you informed and involved throughout the entire process. We don’t treat you like just another case; we treat you like a partner:
Regular Updates: We provide you with consistent updates on the status of your case and explain the legal process in simple terms. You’ll always know what’s going on and what to expect next.
Emotional Support: We understand that a personal injury can be emotionally overwhelming, and we’re here to provide not just legal support, but empathetic counsel. Our team is available to answer questions, offer advice, and guide you through the process.
No Fees Until We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. This gives you the peace of mind to focus on your recovery, knowing that our goal is to secure a fair and just outcome for you.
Why Choose DuFault Law?
Insurance companies are powerful, but with DuFault Law on your side, you have the resources and experience to level the playing field. We don’t just aim for quick settlements—we fight for maximum compensation that truly reflects the extent of your injury and suffering. Don’t let an insurance company’s tactics push you into accepting less than you deserve. Contact DuFault Law today, and let us fight to protect your rights.
Get the Legal Support You Deserve
If you’ve been injured and are dealing with an insurance company, don’t let them bully you into taking less than you deserve. Let us help you fight for your rights and secure the compensation you need to move forward.
Contact DuFault Law today at (239) 422-6400 or email us at contact@dufaultlaw.com for a free consultation. Let’s ensure your rights are protected and your compensation is maximized. You don’t have to face this battle alone.
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