If you’re injured on your motorcycle in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you may file a claim against that driver’s insurance company for damages.
Soon after filing, you’ll be contacted by an insurance adjuster about your claim. It’s important to understand that the insurance adjuster’s job is to save money for the company by disputing or denying claims and awarding the lowest possible settlements to accident victims like you. No matter how friendly and concerned the adjuster might seem, the purpose of the call you receive is to deprive you of the compensation you deserve.
Be Ready for These Insurance Adjuster Tactics
The more expensive your claim, the more likely the insurer is to dispute it or make a lowball settlement offer. Motorcycle crash claims are among the most expensive because the injuries suffered on a bike are often severe. Below are some tactics insurance adjusters use to keep you from receiving fair compensation for your damages:
- Encouraging you to talk about the case or make a recorded statement. This is a blatant attempt to make you say something that can be used to dispute or devalue your claim. Give the adjuster only basic information and refer other questions to your attorney.
- Pressuring you to accept a quick settlement. You don’t know the value of your case until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) and your lawyer consults with your doctor to evaluate your future medical care needs. Don’t accept the insurer’s first offer. If you receive an unsolicited check, don’t cash it.
- Seeking access to your medical records. This is an attempt to blame your injury on a pre-existing condition in order to avoid paying fair damages. Deny this request.
- Discouraging you from hiring an attorney. The average person generally finds the insurance claim process difficult even on a good day. When you’re recovering from injuries and possibly taking pain medication, it’s even harder to pursue your claim without an attorney to level the playing field.
Most law firms will offer you a free consultation and charge no attorney fees until your case is won. Since you stand to get a significantly better award with a lawyer than without one, your legal representation should pay for itself and more.
Have You Been Hurt in a South Dakota Motorcycle Crash?
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can handle the insurance adjusters for you and work to get fair compensation. Contact us online, start a chat, or call us at 605-644-5003 to schedule a free consultation.