Insurance companies hold considerable power in the personal injury claims process.
These for-profit businesses have nothing to gain and much to lose from paying out fair settlements. For this reason, insurance adjusters are trained on common tactics insurers use to minimize payouts, with an eye on employing these tactics on injured people who may not fully understand their rights.
At LawtonCates, we’ve seen the tactics insurance companies use to deny policyholders the compensation they deserve, and we know how to counter those tactics.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today to learn more about how we can help.
Why Wisconsin Law Gives Adjusters Extra Leverage
Insurance companies have an opportunity to avoid the potentially high costs of personal injury settlements in the form of Wisconsin’s comparative negligence law.
Under this law, a person who bears partial responsibility for an accident may see their compensation reduced – or even eliminated entirely – based on their share of the fault.
For example, a person found 30 percent at fault for a car accident may be awarded $100,000 in compensation, but the court will then reduce that amount by 30 percent, leaving them with $70,000. A person who’s 51 percent at fault or more may be barred from recovering compensation at all.
This law gives insurance adjusters an extra incentive to shift blame away from their policyholders and towards injured people.
As a result, fault disputes can directly affect settlement negotiations, making it all the more important for an injured person to work with a skilled personal injury lawyer who can safeguard their rights.
What Tactics Do Insurance Companies Use to Reduce Your Settlement?
Insurance companies may take many approaches in an effort to reduce your settlement after an injury accident.
Some common tactics insurers use to minimize payouts include:
- Questioning the relationship between your injuries and the accident
- Blaming you for causing the accident
- Downplaying the severity of your pain or limitations
- Requesting broad access to your medical history
- Arguing that your treatment was unnecessary or too expensive
- Delaying your claim to pressure you into accepting less
- Making an early settlement offer before you know the full extent of your losses
At LawtonCates, we know how to counter these insurance company tactics, prove that your injuries are as serious as you say they are, and fight for fair compensation.
How Can You Protect Your Wisconsin Personal Injury Claim?
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect your personal injury claim and preserve your right to recover the compensation you deserve:
- Thoroughly document the accident with photos, videos, and eyewitness testimony
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations
- Keep records of your medical expenses and lost income
- Be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters
- Avoid posting details about the accident or your injuries on social media
- Work with a personal injury lawyer who can handle insurer communications and protect your interests
Contact Our Wisconsin Injury Attorneys For Help
Getting a call from an insurance adjuster after an accident can be stressful.
Don’t handle it alone. Turn to the team at LawtonCates for informed advocacy and support.
We’ve recovered millions for Wisconsin residents injured through other parties’ carelessness and irresponsibility, and while past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, we’re proud of our reputation for fighting to get the results our clients deserve.
As our client Luke J. described his experience with us:
“Attorney Dixon did an amazing job and I would recommend him to anyone that has to go through the process of standing up to large insurance companies. He was great at communicating the office staff were very warm and helpful. The end result was more than I expected.”
If you got hurt in an accident someone else caused, it’s time to secure the legal representation you need to move forward with confidence.
Contact LawtonCates right away to get started with a free consultation.