Alta Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

After a motorcycle accident in Alta, you are likely to face pressure from an insurance company to settle quickly, along with important decisions about your medical treatment that can affect your claim without you even realizing it. Understanding whether you actually have to accept a settlement offer, how to avoid common mistakes when dealing with your doctors, and whether you can trust the insurance company handling your case can make a real difference in your recovery.

Do You Have to Accept the Insurance Company's Settlement in Alta?

In Iowa, you definitely do not have to accept an insurance company's settlement offer, but there are several things to keep in mind. Are your injuries minor enough that you may be better off settling the case on your own to avoid paying an attorney a percentage of your settlement? If your medical bills have been paid by your health insurance or another insurance company, who will be reimbursing them? This is called subrogation and can cost you your entire settlement if you do not know what you are doing. How much time do you have until the statute of limitations expires and you will likely receive nothing? If you do not know the answers to these questions, it is strongly recommended that you at least contact a qualified Iowa injury attorney, since failing to do so could cost you thousands of dollars and sometimes your entire case.

Settlement Negotiations

Keep in mind that it is very rare that the insurance company's first offer is their best offer. You should try to negotiate with the insurance adjuster in any case where you are representing yourself, but keep a few things in mind. Anything you tell the insurance adjuster can and will be used against you in your claim and later on if there is a lawsuit, so be careful about what you say, but never lie, since insurance companies share databases and will find out about prior injuries and accidents. It is also not a good idea to threaten the adjuster, since being polite will get you much further than being upset and angry. You should know your facts, including how the injuries happened, who you treated with, and the conditions you have been diagnosed with. Before agreeing to any settlement offer, it is always a good idea to speak with a qualified Iowa motorcycle accident attorney to find out if you are being treated fairly.

Avoiding Mistakes When Dealing With Doctors After an Alta Motorcycle Accident

Many people fail to realize how important their interactions with the doctor are when treating an injury. Common mistakes can make a difference in your case. Not reporting pain and how the injury is affecting your work limits what gets documented in your records and can affect the doctor's opinion of your injury.

See a Doctor Immediately and Be Honest About Your History

It is your responsibility to prove that you were injured by the accident, so if you have any pain or problems, seek medical care right away, since insurance companies and juries often believe that a delay means the condition may not be related to the accident. Your medical providers do not need to know about your legal claim, but anything you tell them becomes part of your medical records, which the insurance company and potentially a judge or jury will see. Be honest about your health history and how the accident happened, since your full medical history will eventually be available to the insurance company, and any inconsistency will be used to attack your credibility.

Attend Every Appointment and Document Your Pain

Missed appointments show up in your medical records and can make it look like you did not care about your treatment. If you need to reschedule, call at least 24 hours in advance. Pain must be properly documented as well, since your medical providers cannot feel or see your pain, but insurance companies and juries want to read about it in your records, including how quickly you reported it, where it was, how bad it was, and how long it lasted. If your injury is affecting your ability to work, tell your health care provider clearly, since this documentation is central to your claim.

Follow Your Treatment Plan

Take medications as prescribed, and contact your doctor about any unwanted side effects rather than stopping on your own. Avoid stopping treatment too soon or leaving long gaps between appointments, since insurance companies and juries often interpret these gaps as a sign that you have healed. Keep business cards, bills, work excuses, and other records, since your attorney will need this documentation. Pain, limited activity, and disability can also cause anxiety and depression following an injury, and these conditions can be compensated as part of a properly documented and treated claim.

Can You Trust the Insurance Company in Your Alta Motorcycle Case?

There are more than 100 insurance companies selling policies in Iowa alone, covering everything from personal injury to workers' compensation. While people generally buy insurance to protect themselves against future loss, paying a premium does not mean the insurance company is looking out for you. Some people mistakenly believe their own insurance company will pursue a claim against the other party on their behalf, but this is not true. While your insurer may try to recover what it paid for property damage, it is highly unlikely to pursue a claim for your personal injuries.

What to Know About Insurance Companies

The insurance company is not representing you or your best interests, and it is not required to tell you the truth. Insurance companies are in the business of making a profit, which means paying out as little as possible on claims. An adjuster may seem friendly, but that does not mean they are looking out for you, since insurance companies generally do not like paying claims.

Tips for Dealing With an Insurance Company

Always tell the truth, since anything you say can be used against you, and even a small inconsistency can damage your credibility. Be careful what you say to an adjuster, since insurance companies employ professionals to work these claims, which is one reason it can help to have a professional working on your side as well. Keep documentation, including a diary or journal describing how you feel, doctors' excuses for missed work, records of time missed for medical appointments, and any medical bills or explanation of benefits forms you receive from your health insurance company.