4 Ways the Insurance Companies Try to Win Personal Injury Cases

There are many ways that insurance companies try to take advantages of unrepresented clients. They are:

1) Try a get a quick low ball settlement for $1000.00, or $5000.00. By doing so they get the injured person to sign a full and final settlement. Never accept money from the insurance company in exchange for a full and final release without talking to a lawyer. Most lawyers will give you a free 1/2 hour of their time.

2) Get you to give a recorded statement. Most people think this is not a dangerous thing as they feel that they have nothing to hide and the accident was not their fault. However this is one of the most common mistakes that unrepresented personal injury victims make. Never commit yourself to a recorded statement without first consulting a lawyer. Your adjuster knows exactly how to get you to mkae admissions that will later be used against you.

3)Surveillance. If you think someone is following you and you have a personal injury claim outstanding, then you are probably right. It is very common to film injury victims for several days and then cut and paste a short video showing all your most physical activities. This will be used to contradict your testimony at trial. Always be aware of your surrounding and public activities.

4) Get the injury victim to sign medical authorizations. Next thing you know the insurance company has ALL your medical records from the last 15 years, including personal and unrelated information. Never allow them full access to your medical history. I only allow  access to  3-5 years of pre-accident medical documents at the most.

Always consult with a personal injury lawyer before engaging in any negotiation with your insurance company.

Andrea Girones is a personal injury lawyer in Ottawa, visit her website at http://www.injuryottawa.ca/