4 Tips for Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Accident

If you have been injured in an accident in Oregon, what you do and how you conduct yourself while you’re healing from your injury will help decide what kind of settlement you receive. This means that during this already stressful and challenging time, you must strategize and work accordingly in order to receive the best settlement. Here are four tips for dealing with insurance companies after your accident to help you get the best results.

  1. Don’t sign any releases until you talk to your lawyer.

After your injury, the other person’s insurance company may ask you to sign a medical release form that allows them to “verify your injuries.” DO NOT SIGN THIS RELEASE. What this release does is it authorizes the at-fault party’s insurance company to have access to all of your medical records, not just the records that pertain to this accident.

Once the other person’s insurance company has access to this information, they may leverage your medical history and use it to pressure you into settling for a smaller settlement. Remember, their insurance company is not on your side, and their goal is to pay you as little money as possible. They may try to pressure or guilt you into taking a reduced amount of money. We are here to make sure this does not happen to you.

Your best bet is to contact your personal injury lawyer if you receive a medical release form of any kind. Your lawyer knows precisely who should be receiving what information and can help you figure out what exactly the insurance companies need to know about you.

  1. Take some time before you settle.

One common mistake that people make is quickly accepting a settlement. Remember, they’re likely more interested in saving money. Therefore, your first settlement offer might be more of a low-ball or discount offer.

If you have reviewed a settlement offer and think that it looks fair, always talk to your lawyer before you accept it. It could be that you’re forgetting an important component. By having your lawyer look over the settlement first, you have an ally reading through the offer, making sure that it’s in your best interest. This helps ensure that your settlement amount will be a fair one that covers your expenses and damages.

  1. Ask for what’s fair.

One vital component of receiving a good settlement is being fair with your requests. Don’t ask for the moon. Instead, be organized and have specific reasons for why you asked for your specific amount. When you can clearly itemize why you need a certain amount of money, it makes it much more likely that you will receive it.

  1. Be courteous and polite.

Keep in mind that these people that you’re negotiating with ultimately decide your settlement amount. When you’re talking with them, be civil and courteous. Your positive attitude may ultimately play a role in your settlement amount.

Remember to stay in contact with your personal injury lawyer throughout this whole process. If you don’t have a lawyer to help advise you on your Oregon personal injury case, contact ClarkeGriffin. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are ready to answer any questions and help you get the settlement you deserve. Give us a call today at (503) 543-4800.

Written by Clarke Griffin

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