Slip and falls are one of the most common types of premise liability accidents in the United States, and account for at least one million visits to the ER every year. Although older people are most vulnerable to slipping and falling, anyone of any age could be at risk. When the slip and fall could have been avoided, but happened because of a negligent error, it may be possible to file a personal injury claim. That being said, as soon as you report the accident to the negligent owner/manager, and their insurance company, they will open up a case. Insurance companies handle these claims on a regular basis and know how to handle them. That being said, they are known to attempt to reduce the settlement or pay any of the claims at all. It is recommended that you have a personal injury lawyer on your side.
What You Can Learn About Insurance Companies
Technically you can handle a slip and fall claim without a personal injury lawyer. Should you? That depends on various factors and circumstances. In any case, it can help you to have an understanding of how insurance adjusters think from their perspective of a slip and fall claim. By doing so, you may be able to protect your rights and interests.
Insurance Companies – The Bottom Line
Generally speaking, there are three primary goals of an insurance company handling a slip and fall claim. These include:
Save Money – An insurance adjuster would like to pay out the least amount possible. The lower the payout the more profit they will make.
Save Reputation – Insurance companies have an obligation to protect their policyholders. If you slipped and fell at a popular restaurant, they will seek to protect the business’s reputation
Save Time – Insurance adjusters are very busy, and have many claims to settle. They don’t want a claim that takes too much time.
While an adjuster would like to accomplish each of these goals, they are often willing to risk wasting time if they can save money and a reputation. When push comes to shove, they might also risk some of the policy holders reputation to save costs. In other words, as a personal injury lawyer might explain to you, the priority of the insurance company will be to save money – and as much of it as possible!
Guided by this insight and understanding, you may be at a better starting point when trying to determine how you will recover compensation. It must be noted that consulting a personal injury lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, such as from Unidos Legales, before you make any moves is highly recommended. A lawyer can help you to maintain communication with the insurance adjuster and ensure you recover maximum damages. The adjustor might also realize, in part due to a well built case, that you do have a credible claim and are indeed the unfortunate victim of a slip and fall. As such, you may be more likely to receive a settlement that is fair and just.