Unfortunate events occur all the time to the best of us no matter how prepared we are. You might lose your home or business to a fire, get involved in an accident, or suffer some loss or damage to your property.
Regardless of what happened, if you had bought insurance against your loss, then you have a right to seek compensation from your insurance provider. Depending on the incident, this can either be your insurer or the at-fault insurance company. However, many people only realize that dealing with insurance companies and adjusters is never easy after they have dealt with them.
Insurance companies are like any other business. Their goal is to minimize expenditure which means they are highly likely to give you the least amount of money in compensation. If you are filing a claim with an insurance company, you need someone with your best interests at heart, such as an insurance lawyer, to help you receive the compensation you fairly deserve. Or you can find help from Friedman & Associates Public Adjusters.
Insurance lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies and have vast experience on what to do to protect your legal rights. Therefore, after the occurrence of an undesired incident, one of the first calls you should make is to an insurance lawyer.
Here are several reasons why you need to talk to an insurance lawyer.
1. They Will Help You Protect Your Claim
After an accident or incident, it is very easy to make mistakes that can damage your claim. Mistakes such as accepting fault, apologizing, talking to adjusters, failing to report the incident, or failing to see a doctor for your injuries can cause you to lose your compensation or get a very unfair settlement.
To prevent such scenarios, your insurance lawyer will advise you on:
- What you need to do to ensure that you do not lose your claim
- How to collect evidence at the scene of the incident
- How to seek proper medical care and why
- Who you should talk to, and what you should say at the scene.
- How to respond to the insurance company
- The legal aspects of your claim, such as the statute of limitations
The lawyer will give you proper guidance so you avoid making mistakes so that your claim remains valid. Some insurance companies will try to reach out to you so they can intimidate you. But if you have good legal support, you can quickly direct the insurance company to your lawyer.
2. A Lawyer Will Offer You Professional Support
If you have been in an accident or have lost your property, you can easily get overwhelmed. Between nursing your injuries, coming to terms with your loss, and talking to the police, you can get lost in all the chaos and forget to handle your claim.
But the actions you take immediately after an incident can largely impact your claim. A lawyer will provide you with the professional support and guidance that you need so you can focus on your health.
3. Your Lawyer Is Your Greatest Advocate
Like we mentioned earlier, no insurance company, including your direct insurance provider is on your side. Your lawyer is the only person you can trust to help you file your claim and fight for fair compensation.
A lawyer’s primary duty is to defend and protect the rights of their clients. A good lawyer will do all that it takes so you can get compensated for your loss. They will help gather all the evidence you need to back your claim and ensure that you do not accept a low offer.
Several lawyers, especially liability or personal injury lawyers, only get paid when you win. Therefore, they will do all they can to make sure that you get your compensation so that they too can get paid.
They will also play hardball with adjusters who might manipulate you into accepting a lower settlement or force you to jump through some hoops that might affect your claim.
4. A Lawyer Will Help You Through the Claims Process
There are several types of damages awarded during a lawsuit. For example, suppose you have a personal injury claim. Ideally, you should seek compensation for general damages such as bodily injuries or damages to your property.
Other damages that you’re entitled to compensation include the loss of wages, contracts, or earnings, as well as damages for potential losses in the future such as from disability, permanent injuries that require constant medical attention, or your ability to return to your normal working schedule or life.
A good insurance lawyer will ensure that you make the right claims and that you’re duly compensated for them.
5. They Will Determine the Value of Your Claim
Insurance companies will use every trick possible, including underestimating the extent of your damages or injuries, to ensure that they pay as little money as possible. They will not care about your future expenses if it is a personal injury claim or a disability that has rendered you incapable of resuming your normal work life.
Experienced lawyers know such tactics so well. Instead of just waiting for them to make an offer, they will calculate your economic and non-economic damages, and use the findings to negotiate your settlement.
Though you might know how much money you have spent to treat your injuries or the accurate value of your damaged property, an experienced insurance lawyer will know how to calculate the value of your losses in damages.
Insurance lawyers and companies use the multiplier method when estimating the value of damages such as loss of consortium, pain, and suffering, and more.
6. They Will Ensure You File Your Claim in Time
As per the law, there are set deadlines under which one should file a claim from insurance. These deadlines are also called the statute of limitations and they vary between states.
If you fail to file your claim within your state’s statute of limitation, you might lose your right to compensation. Lawyers are aware of this law and will ensure you submit your claim in good time.
Have Your Insurance Lawyer on Speed-Dial if Possible
If you or your loved one have been in an accident or have suffered some damage to your property, it is crucial to speak to an insurance lawyer first before talking to the insurance company.
Having the right legal representation on your side will make a massive difference in your claim’s success.
