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Buchanan County MO, Auto Accident Lawyer Describes 3 Common Tactics Used by Insurance Companies

What you can do to protect your Missouri accident claim?

If you have been injured in a Missouri car accident, you may expect that the insurance companies are going to pay your medical bills, property damage and other expenses. This is what is supposed to happen, but from the moment the insurance company is notified of the accident, the insurance adjustors begin to look for ways to minimize your claim.

The Buchanan County, MO auto accident lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys have compiled this list of common tactics used by insurance companies to reduce the amount paid to Missouri car crash victims.

1. Recorded Statements: Within days of the crash, an insurance adjuster will call you to take a recorded statement regarding your injuries. You do not have to agree to this. At this point, you do not know the full extent of your injuries and how your treatment will progress. You may be on painkillers and not yet understand the full extent of your pain. The insurance company is looking for statements that will cast doubt on your injuries, so ask if you can call back at a better time or refer the adjustor to your Buchanan County, MO auto accident lawyer.

2. Offering a settlement: The insurance adjuster may offer you a settlement and tell you not to hire an attorney. The truth is that injury victims who hire attorneys receive settlements that are three and a half times larger than settlements received by injury victims who represent themselves. Even after attorney's fees, this is a significant amount.

3. Medical Release Forms: The insurance adjuster may ask you to sign a medical authorization form that gives him access to all of your medical records. Signing this form allows the insurance company to go look at medical records and seek past medical problems that might be completely irrelevant to your current injuries. They can obtain the records of any visits to a counselor, therapist or psychiatrist. If possible, they will use this information to discredit your claim. Consult an attorney before signing any medical authorization forms.

These are only a few of the tricks that insurance companies use to reduce the amount paid to an accident victim. Learn how to protect your Missouri accident claim in our free book: "10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim". If you have been offered a settlement or need help dealing with the insurance companies, the experienced Buchanan County, MO, auto accident lawyer at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys can help. To schedule a free consultation, contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616.

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