After an accident that has led to a neck injury, you are probably experiencing a painful and challenging recovery. The last thing you want to be concerned with as you go through this tough period is an insurance adjuster attempting to sabotage your claim. Although you may think that the insurance company of the party at fault will provide a reasonable settlement, their main goal is to save their profits. This implies that their representatives usually use specific strategies to undermine your claim, particularly when neck injuries are involved and have long-term complications.
Downplaying the Severity of Your Neck Injury
One of the tricks that insurance adjusters employ is to downplay your neck injury. They may indicate that your injuries are not as severe as you are stating or that they were present before the accident. They may stall or refuse your claim, hoping your frustration will make you accept an inadequate, quick settlement. That is why it is essential to know their practices. They will probably urge you to give a recorded statement shortly after the accident. It is a tactical action; they are taught to pose leading questions that will make you say something, which can be used against you later to undermine the worth of your claim. You should understand that you are not required to give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney. The other trick is to ask you to sign a general medical authorization form. This allows them to investigate your entire medical history, searching for any previous conditions that they can exploit to claim that your current neck issues are not a consequence of the accident.Alaska Laws You Need to Know for Your Neck Injury Claim
Becoming acquainted with important Alaskan laws and working with a neck injury attorney can give you power in claims. Several laws are especially applicable to neck injury cases.Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
You should know that there are tight deadlines to file a lawsuit. In Alaska, you are usually given two years to file a personal injury action, starting with the date of the injury. Failure to meet this deadline may deprive you of the right to compensation forever. Exceptions are few, e.g., an injury to a minor, and it is essential to act quickly.Limits on Damages
Alaska statute limits the recovery of non-economic damages. These damages reimburse you for the intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. These damages are limited in most personal injury cases to cases of severe permanent physical impairment or disfigurement; in these cases, the limit is raised.Unfair Claim Settlement Practices
The state has legislation to guard you against fraudulent and unjust practices of insurance companies. Unfair claim settlement practices have been defined and are prohibited by the state. This renders it unlawful to have insurers misrepresent facts or policy terms, deny and fail to investigate claims promptly, or deny payment of a claim without making a reasonable investigation. Do not allow an adjuster to undermine your Alaska neck injury claim. Learn how they operate and find an experienced lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. Featured Image Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-a-woman-pressing-her-neck-on-a-stress-ball-4498297/