Dealing with Insurance Companies

What every accident victim needs to know about settling an injury claim

In everyday life, you are probably a quite capable individual. Whether you earned your degree from the school of hard knocks or got an MBA from an elite institution, you know how to do your research and arrive at a sound conclusion. You know how to bargain for the best terms. And like most Jerseyites, you have a finely tuned BS meter that alerts you whenever a statement isn’t quite kosher. So, why shouldn’t you handle your own injury claim? How hard can it be to deal with an insurance company?

At Razi & Giampa Law, LLC, we want every injured party to recover the full compensation their injuries deserve. We offer this resource page to explain why, even if you can, you shouldn’t represent yourself in your injury claim. For too many claimants, self-representation is the road to prolonged frustration and a less-than-satisfactory financial settlement. Please take the time to review the points we’ve outlined here, then give us a call to discuss your accident claim.

You don’t need the aggravation

You’re injured. You’re experiencing pain and you might already be frustrated over the pace of your recovery. You might think that since you can’t work, you might as well busy yourself with your insurance claim, but the process is bound to add to your frustration, which could impede the progress of your physical recovery.

You see, insurance companies love it when claimants self-represent. Most of them have never been through the process before, so they’re not prepared when the friendly adjuster stops taking their calls and they get referred from one department to another, all in an attempt to stall. Insurers practice what is called the Three Ds: Deny, Delay, Defend. You could have the strongest prima facie claim on record, but they will still attempt to wear you down so you’ll accept a subpar settlement just to be done with the wretched process.

Specialized knowledge you don’t have

To overcome insurance company tactics, you need to know how the game is played. You need to have more than a passing familiarity with the law and the judicial process. Most importantly, you need to know how much your claim is really worth, which can only be measured against settlements of similar cases. Since those settlements are not generally publicized, you need to have insider knowledge, which only comes from practicing personal injury law. Ask yourself, how well could you negotiate the price of a used car if you couldn’t peak inside the Kelly Bluebook? That’s a major handicap for anyone seeking to self-represent.

Attorney skills that can leverage a better settlement

Ultimately, what gets insurance companies to bargain in good faith is the threat of a lawsuit that ends with a generous jury verdict. It’s very difficult for an injured party to put that fear into an insurance company without retaining a seasoned trial lawyer. Additionally, your case could depend on evidence you don’t have in your possession. The legal process allows you to demand that evidence at the stage we call “Discovery.” But getting the best results in the discovery phase requires specific knowledge that only comes from experience. Finally, a defendant may hold the key to proving your case. But how do you get them to admit fault on the record? Examining witnesses is both art and science. It’s a valuable skill that attorneys only gain from experience.

Retaining an attorney can substantially increase the compensation you receive

Part of the motivation for self-representation comes from wanting to retain the entire amount recovered. Why pay a lawyer a percentage, when you can win without their help? Well, for many of the reasons stated above, an experienced attorney is very likely to recover much more for you than you could have recovered on your own. Studies show that accident victims who retain professional counsel enjoy a greater recovery than those who self-represent, even after deducting their legal expenses.

Given the financial advantages and the peace of mind you’ll get by retaining an attorney, there’s no reason to put yourself through the frustration of dealing with an insurance company. When you trust your case to R&G, you can focus entirely on overcoming your injuries, knowing you’ve got skilled professionals working tirelessly on your behalf.

Contact Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus for a free auto accident consultation

Razi & Giampa Law, LLC in Paramus provides highly professional and personalized legal services for victims of auto accidents in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. Rather than frustrating yourself with insurance claims, schedule a free consultation at our office, in your home, or at the hospital. Call us today at 201-534-5011 or contact our firm online.