"TRUST ME" SAID THE WOLF TO THE HENS
By Kenneth J. Knabe

Lately, several insurance companies have tried a new approach to resolve auto accident injury claims. The new approach could be labeled "Trust the Other Driver’s Insurance Company," and is used by the insurance companies when their injured driver causes an accident and hurts someone. The approach is really quite simple – the company tells the injured person that, even though it insured the other driver, it will protect them as well! How ludicrous! Does it seem logical that the insurance company that represents the other driver at fault, and wants to pay as little as possible to the injured person to settle the claim, will fairly and adequately also represent the injured party? Of course it is not logical, and it is not true.

To make the "Trust Me" scheme work, the insurance company representing the "At-Fault Driver" must convince the injured person not to hire a lawyer because a lawyer is "not necessary." If the injured person is duped into believing that the insurance will protect him as well as a lawyer, the scheme will work.

Don’t be scammed. You do need an attorney to represent you when you are injured in an auto crash. Attorneys are as necessary in injury situations as physicians are when surgery is needed.

Ask yourself, are you properly trained to gauge the extent of your injuries, through expert medical testimony? Do you know the information you will need from your doctor to prove your claim? Have you protected your medical bills and "subrogation?" ("Subrogation" is the right of your own health insurance company or auto insurer to recoup monies spent for your medical expenses). If you settle with the At-Fault Party without notifying your own health insurance company and protecting its subrogation rights, you could possibly owe your insurance company the entire amount of your settlement or even more! Finally, timing is everything when settling a personal injury claim. Can you honestly say that you would know when is the right time to settle?

Insurance companies for At-Fault Parties have an inherent conflict of interest with the injured motorist. The injured party wants to maximize his or her recovery or settlement, while the insurance company is trying to save money by paying as little as possible on the claim. Further, the insurance company for the At-Fault Driver will not advise you of the pit falls of settling your own claim.

Insurance companies attempt to dissuade car accident victims from retaining attorneys because they know that they will have to pay more to an attorney to settle a claim than to a self-represented injured person. Don’t let them scam you! Don’t believe the "Trust Me" nonsense. Call us if you are injured.