You were injured in a car crash, and your doctor put together a solid treatment plan for you. The program made sense, and you did everything that you were supposed to. You did the surgery or the treatment. You did the physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic treatment. You invested a lot of time getting better, and it worked. So why is the insurance company refusing to pay for all of your medical bills?
Insurance companies are in business to take as much money as possible while paying out as little as they can. The experienced accident lawyers at Durflinger Oliver understand this. We’ve also seen all the games that insurance companies play so that they don’t have to pay.
Our lawyers have more than three decades of experience helping clients navigate the personal injury claims process. Partner, Jim Oliver, brings his experience working for insurance companies to help injured persons get all the money they’re entitled to. Our team will fight for you to make sure that all of your treatment bills, and other expenses, are paid. Insurance companies know this, which often makes them more willing to negotiate a fair settlement with us so that they don’t risk going to trial against us.
Some Ways that Insurance Companies Try to Avoid Paying Out
Insurance companies play some pretty basic games to try and avoid paying money to injured people. Here are some of the more common ploys:
- Pre-existing Condition. Insurance adjusters often argue that your medical treatment was related to injuries other than your crash. Sometimes that matters, sometimes it doesn’t. If your crash made a prior injury get worse, the insurance company owes you money for your bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
- Causation. Adjusters often claim that the accident didn’t cause your injuries. Don’t listen to the adjuster. Your doctor is a professional, and their opinion matters. As long as they said that your injuries are related to the crash, the adjuster’s estimation doesn’t matter.
- No Pain Right After The Crash. Most people injured in a car crash don’t start suffering pain until hours or even days later. Again, if your doctor said that your suffering was related to the accident, then the insurance company is probably liable to pay for your injuries and related damages.
- You Weren’t Transported By Ambulance. Adjusters often claim that people who get rides to the hospital or drive themselves obviously weren’t injured. Don’t believe the adjuster’s bogus claims. There is no law that says you need to ride in an ambulance to make an injury claim.
- You Are Exaggerating Your Injuries. Adjusters almost always believe that you are not as injured as you claim. That’s why your treatment records are so vital. Make sure that your treatment team is accurately documenting your injuries, pain, and symptoms. It’s also essential to document how your injuries caused you problems in your day to day life.
- Too Much Treatment. Insurance companies are obligated to compensate you for reasonably necessary treatment related to your injuries. Medical care is justified if it reduces pain, helps you heal, or simply keeps your injuries from getting worse. Adjusters will often claim that you had more treatment than necessary. They will then decline to pay for that “excessive” treatment. Again, your doctor’s opinion and reliable records will make a big difference in getting you a good result.
When the adjuster first opens your claim, they put information about you and your accident into a computer software program that produces a “value” for your claim. The software also creates an estimated amount of necessary treatment. If your actual treatment costs exceed the insurance company’s estimate, the adjuster will balk and claim that you should not get full compensation. As stated above, your doctor and quality medical records are essential to getting a great result.
Protect the Full Car Accident Recovery You Deserve
The car crash attorneys at Durflinger Oliver have successfully battled insurance companies for more than a decade. After a Tacoma car crash, you need an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the tricks that insurance companies use to pay you less than you deserve. Our lawyers understand the insurance company’s game, and we will fight to get you the best result while providing as much peace of mind as possible.
Call the legal team at Durflinger Oliver & Associates today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We will give you an honest and reliable opinion about your case, and, if you retain us, we will fight hard to get you the recovery that you deserve. office.