Insurance adjusters deal with insurance claims all of the time. You don’t. This puts you at a disadvantage, as they are experienced and you are not. Before talking to an insurance company who wants to “resolve” your claim, you need to know your legal rights, or you may make a permanent, costly mistake.

Beware of insurance representatives who tell you that you do not need an attorney. Not only are they mindful of the insurance company’s bottom line, but they also represent the person who injured you. It is their duty to look out for the interest of that person; they have no duty to ensure you are fairly compensated.

Beware of insurance adjusters who want to settle your case while you are still injured. You may later discover that your injuries are more serious than initially thought; however, once you sign a release with the insurance company, your case is over.

The insurance claim representative does not tell you about all of your rights and what damages you are entitled to claim and receive. Their loyalty is with the person or business that caused you harm, not you.

The insurance company representative has one goal – to minimize your claim and protect the insurance company’s bottom line. Sometimes this means an outright denial of your claim, with the claim representative telling you the accident was your fault. Or perhaps you were told that you had no automobile insurance coverage which would apply, or, more importantly, that the person or business which caused the accident or your injuries had no insurance. There is only one sure way to discover any coverage in effect which might serve to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other items for which recovery and compensation can be sought, and that is to contact us and put our team to work for you.

There may be other insurance coverage against which a claim can be made to help ensure you are fully and fairly compensated for all injuries and harm. For example, there may be more than one automobile insurance policy with liability coverage, such as when a person is driving a vehicle owned by another with permission. (Do not, however, count on the insurance company of the responsible party to volunteer this information.) Other examples might include medical payments coverage under your own automobile policy, worker’s compensation coverage and benefits, underinsured motorists’ coverage, and uninsured motorists’ coverage.

It is important to know that there is a time limit on when you can recover. Most states, including Arkansas, have set time limits — referred to as Statutes of Limitations — on when a claim for recovery of injuries or harm suffered as a result of the negligent or reckless actions of another person must be resolved or suit filed. Failure to settle your claim or to file suit within the time allowed will result in your claim being forever barred. Filing suit after the statute has run will result in the legal dismissal of your case.

Secondly, and more importantly: with time, memories fade. Evidence gets lost, misplaced, or simply vanishes. Injuries heal and their true devastating nature and impact cannot be documented and captured in photographs. Changes or repairs are made to the scene of the accident or to the item which caused your harm, and important witnesses can no longer be found and interviewed. The loss of any one of these could cost you your right to just and fair compensation. It’s not worth the risk. Don’t wait, call today.