Have You Been Injured? 3 Things You Need to Know About Your Insurance Benefits
If you are injured, in most cases you will have to deal with an insurance company to receive compensation. For example, if you are injured on your property you may need to make a claim against your homeowner’s insurance. If the injury occurred in your vehicle, then you will either seek compensation for your injuries from the at-fault driver’s insurance company or yours if you were responsible for the accident. Whenever you file a claim, you will always have to deal with an insurance adjuster. For this reason, it is important to know about your benefits and how adjuster work.
Seek Compensation from the Responsible Party’s Insurance
In general, insurance companies and investigators decide fault based on how the individual state defines negligence in reference to automobile accidents. A few types of negligence could apply depending on where you live. Comparative negligence allows you to pursue damage compensation even if it is determined that you are partially at fault. This law allows you to pursue compensation in proportion to your level of responsibility. For example, if you are 30% at fault then you can pursue a maximum of 70% of the settlement amount. Modified comparative negligence limits the amount of compensation you can seek from another driver’s insurance company. Contributory negligence basically states that you must not have any percentage of fault in an accident in order to seek compensation. Premises liability is typically determined by either the status of the injured person or condition of the property.
The Insurance Company Isn’t Just Going to Pay
If you are injured in an accident, it is important to remember that an insurance company isn’t simply going to cut you a check. As for-profit companies, insurance companies have an incentive to pay as little as possible for injury recovery. In most cases, it is best to hire an attorney that specializes in your injury case to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome. When negotiating, you should have all of your evidence available that clearly indicates that you were not at fault. You should also have statements of all your medical bills and lost wages.
Try to Determine Policy Limits
If you are seeking compensation from another individual’s insurance company, it is important to try and find out what the policy limits are. This will let you know the maximum amount you can expect to receive. It is also important for you to know your policy limits if you are filing a claim against your insurance company. Never assume that an insurance company will voluntarily give you this information.
If you are injured, it is important to know your rights when it comes to compensation. You should also be familiar with how negligence is determined in your state. Insurance companies are looking out for their best interest and will not simply cut you a check for your injuries. Typically, it is best to hire an attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.