Maryland Personal Injury Claims: Seven Ways You Could Jeopardize Your Rights When Dealing With Insurers
Personal injuries in Maryland happen due to reckless behavior on the part of others. Under Maryland state law, you have the right to hold them liable for your losses. Insurance coverage they have in place can help cover your costs, but insurers are quick to deny or downplay claims.
Our Maryland personal injury attorneys provide the experienced legal representation you need to protect yourself in this situation. The following are seven ways victims often inadvertently jeopardize their rights in a claim.
- Underestimating Insurers
Insurers often portray themselves as friendly protectors, there to help you when the unexpected happens. However, do not underestimate what is actually driving them. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports that insurers take in over $30 billion in net income annually. Insurance adjusters and claims representatives face heavy pressure to protect profits by reducing payouts on claims.
- Admitting Partial Fault for the Accident
When accidents happen and result in personal injuries in Maryland, you may feel vulnerable afterward and a little fuzzy on the details. It is common to question the circumstances and to wonder if you may have been even partially to blame. Avoid voicing this to insurers, as they can use it to deny your claim.
- Downplaying the Severity of What Happened or Your Injuries
In addition to wondering whether you were somehow at fault, it is also common for accident victims to downplay how serious their injuries are and the potential long-term impacts on their lives. Insurers capitalize on this and use your statements to reduce payout amounts.
- Providing Too Many Details
Insurance representatives typically call in the immediate aftermath of an accident with a list of questions regarding what happened. Keep your answers brief and avoid providing too many details, sticking to yes, no, or ‘I don’t know’ responses.
- Making Recorded Statements
Refuse to provide a recorded statement to insurers. They are adept at manipulation, and your recorded answers to their questions provide valuable evidence they can then use to dispute your claim.
- Accepting Immediate Settlement Offers
It is common for insurers to offer immediate settlements, as they know most accident victims are likely to feel some financial pressure and are eager to put the incident behind them. Be aware that accepting an early offer is likely to leave you paying out-of-pocket later.
- Not Discussing Your Case with an Experienced Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
You have only one chance to get compensation in an insurance claim. Before making any statements, signing any documents, or accepting a settlement, discuss your case with our Maryland personal injury attorneys first.
Contact Our Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys Today
As experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys, Berman, Sobin, Gross LLP has extensive experience negotiating with insurance representatives. We fight to get you the maximum compensation in a settlement and will not hesitate to take your case to court. Before accepting less than what you are entitled to, contact our office and request a consultation today.
Sources:
msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc5300/sc5339/000113/004000/004611/unrestricted/20071522e.pdf
content.naic.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/health-2022-mid-year-industry-report.pdf
