No one expects to be injured in an accident, and even fewer expect to deal with the headaches that come with insurance claims afterward. Most people assume that getting their claims submitted and addressed isn’t overly complicated and figure they can do it on their own; after all, how much time does it take to fill out a form and talk to an adjuster? Unfortunately, while that’s the premise on paper, reality complicates things—and reality can cost people thousands of dollars.
We’re talking a difference of tens of thousands from the start until the finish based on whether someone’s got a lawyer by their side or whether they’re doing it for themselves. It’s not a case of a good day versus a bad day; it’s a case of someone who knows the system versus someone forced to learn it quickly to save themselves money.
You’re Not Friends with Adjusters
First and foremost, understand that the adjuster talking to you about your claim works for an insurance company. They’re not on your side because they’re paid to be on their employer’s side to save money. When they’re seasoned and know how to ask questions in vain of sounding empathetic, they won’t hesitate to get the company’s agenda served at the sacrifice of your claim. They’ll throw out settlements that look decent at face value, although they’re a mere fraction of what they’re worth.
The minute an adjuster gets a taste of personal injury attorneys in LA, however, it’s like they’ve bitten into a sour lemon. Those lowball offers disappear quickly because they realize they can’t get away with what they’d typically get away with for those without representation.
Professionally trained lawyers recognize what other claimants have been awarded for similar injuries. They’re trained to assess which medical records are relevant at face value and which are more valuable for calculating extensive damage compensation. They know settlements based on injury ranges; therefore, knowledge shifts the power dynamic.
You’re Unknowingly Racing Against Time
How many people realize that when they’re in an accident, they’re racing against time to secure evidence? A security camera video gets deleted in thirty days; witnesses move or forget what happened; medical records need to be requested before a misdiagnosis is rendered or information is lost in translation.
People operating without legal representation fail to secure what they need. By the time they realize what evidence is pertinent, it’s too late—lawyers know how it all works and when—and jump into action immediately because they know that things disappear—and fast.
The same goes for medical treatment. Insurance companies will argue that treatment isn’t necessary or downplay doctor’s intentions and viability of understanding injuries and recovery. When it’s your word against theirs, things can go south quickly; however, lawyers work with medical professionals to document reasonable adjustments and diagnoses and can even bring experts on board when insurance companies fight back.
Settlements Aren’t as High Without Legal Representation
Wherein lies the greatest difference in professionalism and amateurism is settlement negotiations. Insurance companies make their first offer with the belief that most people will bite—why? Because they get frustrated getting thrown around or need immediate compensation—or they don’t know any better.
On average, insurance companies make their first offer around 20 percent of what the case would ultimately be valued at if settled through a lawyer. Most people lack knowledge regarding what their case is worth. For instance, if someone is offered $15,000, they might think that sounds decent, yet they’ve failed to recognize that maybe it’s worth $60,000 or more.
Lawyers come to the negotiation table with numbers in their favor. They factor in their current medical bills, future medical treatment needs, lost wages, and pain and suffering as components of value; they recognize where leverage lies in what settlements make sense. They know when to stand their ground aggressively from the start and when to use this information later once a pattern emerges. They know when to play hardball when others back down sensibly—and it’s this difference that either gets people compensated properly or taken advantage of unfairly.
Sometimes It’s Serious
There are times, even with liability determined and well-documented injuries, where insurance companies refuse to bend an inch; this is where legal professionals come into play for one reason: if someone can’t actually file a claim, then they’re powerless standing still.
But no person can realistically say they will pursue litigation. They don’t have the time, knowledge, or bandwidth to do so successfully; therefore, adjusters know that they can string people along—that they eventually will get tired or give in—and adjustments are further delayed.
But when an attorney says they’ll be filing suit when it’s time, insurance companies listen—cases that settle months down the line after negotiations have commenced happen sooner and at better averages when it’s clear that someone’s willing and able.
Help Recovery Extend Beyond Just Getting Money
Finally, insurance companies attempt quick settlements before people realize how extensive their injuries are; someone might assume $30,000 is adequate compensation until twelve months down the line when the same person figures out they’ll need treatment for life or have permanent challenges that limit them.
Lawyers know better; they help assess injuries as they transition over time—they discuss current treatment needs and future initiatives with medical professionals so injuries aren’t assessed and resolved quickly only for someone to feel “healthy” enough to settle without knowing they’ll have further complications.
There’s also the easy factor: if you’re injured, who has time to speak with insurance adjusters for hours on end? Paperwork needs submission; frustrations mount due to newfound legal language. Someone trying to recover shouldn’t have a headache on top of their recovery process—they should have someone helping them.
The Final Word
People who seek legal representation wind up with settlements that are thousands higher than those who didn’t even from the onset of the first submission; they’re not magic numbers pulled from thin air, but rather understood settlements offered by professionals who’ve successfully done this hundreds if not thousands of times themselves.
Insurance companies are banking on failure. They’re banking on ignorance; they’re banking on people not knowing what their case is worth or how a process should unfold. Professional legal help levels the playing field—and compensates everyone fairly except for those who would prefer insurance companies give them far less.
