Personal Injury Law And Insurance Companies

KANSAS CITY, MO, January 02, 2013 (Press-News.org) People can be injured in a variety of ways that give rise to a bodily injury claim. These can include:
- car, truck, motorcycle, or boating accident
- by a defective product
- due to a property owner's negligence
- by a drunk driver or uninsured motorist
- by medical malpractice
- on the job (workers compensation)
- or some other cause

In all such instances, the first step in seeking compensation for an injury claim usually involves communicating with the responsible party who sends the claim to an insurance company, if there is insurance. Usually the insurance company will contact you soon after you've been injured, however if not, you can contact them to begin making your claim. If the responsible person was not insured, an experienced personal injury attorney can search for other insurance policies that may be applicable, such as insurance for the property you were injured on (which may provide coverage for your medical bills) or your own uninsured motorist coverage contained in your automobile policy.

The Insurance Adjuster
Once you are in touch with the insurance company, you will be directed to an insurance adjuster. An adjuster will most likely want a statement from you. This is a critical stage. It is not recommended that you give a statement without consulting with a personal injury attorney experienced in this area. The adjustor will then check out the damage you incurred and injuries sustained and hopefully make you an offer for the damages to your vehicle (if this was a motor vehicle accident) and perhaps additional money you may be entitled to under the law. The adjustor will also request copies of your medical records and bills in an effort to evaluate your personal injury claim. It is important to note that the adjuster is looking out for the interests of the insurance company and will be seeking to provide you with the least money possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will be seeking the maximum compensation available and knows many areas for which you should receive compensation that may not occur to someone who has never been involved in a personal injury claim.

Before you speak with the insurance adjuster, it is recommended that you seek counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney. The attorneys at Adler & Manson will not charge for this consultation. The assistance of an attorney will help make sure you know how to properly respond to the adjuster's questions, which are often framed in such a way to cause you to incriminate yourself and harm your case. The personal injury attorney can also assist you in thoroughly understanding your settlement options and your legal rights.

If you choose to accept the adjuster's personal injury settlement, you will also be required to sign a document releasing the person or persons who caused your injury of further responsibility forever, regardless of any medical issues you may have in the future. You will not be able to make future claims. Thus, if you feel that you may need further medical care or have additional health problems, it is not best to sign for a release of your personal injury claim until you have a better idea of the extent of your injury and have consulted with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Negotiating a Settlement
An attorney who works extensively with personal injury claims, often knows where additional money can be found and the documentation needed to help obtain the best possible result. When you receive a settlement, you may be required to reimburse money spent by your health insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid. This only applies to to bills for medical treatment relating to your injury claim. Again, an experienced personal injury attorney can optimize the portion of the settlement you receive in your pocket.

Insurance adjustors have experience in handling personal injury claims and can take advantage of you. Though you feel fully capable of estimating a fair settlement and carrying out negotiations with an insurance company, there are often subtle factors which can potentially help you achieve a much larger settlement. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury and is seeking a personal injury attorney, contact Adler & Manson personal injury attorneys for a free, no obligation evaluation.

Website: http://www.adlerandmanson.com