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Don't Trust Insurance Representative to Treat You Fairly
Motorcycle accidents can result in life-altering consequences. After you have been in a motorcycle accident, you may have numerous expenses, from the repair of your bike to extensive medical costs or even challenges with your mental health after the trauma of an accident. We pay insurance every month in the hopes they will protect and help us when we need them. However, insurance representatives and companies are looking out for their employer's bottom line by minimizing their financial liability after an accident. While they are trained to seem engaging, friendly, and helpful, never forget that their main goal is to pay the smallest amount of money possible for your claim, even if you might be entitled to more under the law.
What to Expect from Insurance Companies After an Accident
While it is legal in the state of Virginia to drive without insurance, we generally do not recommend it. Costs incurred after an accident—whether you are at fault or not—can be astronomical and there’s no guarantee you can get another party to pay if they are found to be at fault. Uninsured motorist coverage is a particularly good idea in a state like Virginia where insurance isn’t required. This way, if the other party is at fault but doesn’t have insurance, you may be able to get your own insurance company to pay out your claim.
It’s important to remember that no matter who is at fault, insurance companies are in the business of making money and minimizing payouts. When you file a claim—and you should, after an accident—their goal is to get you to agree to settle it quickly and for as little money as possible. They may use a variety of tactics to justify the small payout, such as downplaying the extent of your injuries or the damage to your bike. They might use complex language buried in your insurance contract to confuse you or threaten that you won’t get any compensation at all if you don’t take their initial offer—anything to get you to accept quickly.
Why Insurance Might Not Work to Treat You Fairly
Insurance adjusters are just doing their job. But if you feel your adjuster is not taking you seriously or treating you fairly after your motorcycle accident, here are some possible explanations:
- Bias against motorcyclists. Some people personally feel that motorcyclists are reckless and that operating a motorcycle is an unnecessary risk. This personal bias can lead insurance adjusters to assume you were at fault, even if another driver was to blame.
- Motivated by profits. Insurance companies are profit-driven and may pressure adjusters to keep claims to a minimum so they can reduce payouts.
- Lack of understanding. The insurance adjuster might not truly and fully understand the severity of your injuries or the actual cost of repairs you’re facing, leading to undervalued claims.
Emotional distress after an accident can make you upset if you feel insurance isn’t treating you fairly. This is why hiring a personal injury lawyer who can advocate for your best interests and fight for your rights can take the pressure off of you.
How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows all the tactics and language insurance companies use to minimize their claims. They can take pressure off of you by gathering evidence and building a strong case to maximize your compensation.
Lawyers know the law and what you are entitled to when someone else is at fault for your motorcycle accident. Though most cases settle before going to court, if it becomes necessary, they will take your case to trial and fight for you in court.
After an accident, you may be fighting with your insurance representative to be taken seriously and get the settlement offer that you deserve. Insurance companies aren’t always on your side since their goal is to minimize costs for the company. By enlisting the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can focus on recovery and let them fight for the compensation you deserve.