MYTH #1: WHEN YOU DEAL WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY YOU ARE ALWAYS IN "GOOD HANDS" AND TREATED "LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR."
Unfortunately, an insurance company is not always like a good friend. BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES spend millions of dollars each year to promote a public image that they are friends of the people. In fact, some insurance companies have found themselves in trouble for misleading people, committing fraud, and wrongfully denying claims. ABC's "Prime-Time Live" in October of 2000 had a revealing report where they profiled a certain insurance company's practices.
INSURANCE COMPANIES are going to put together friendly advertisements to try to sign you up and take your premiums, however, they are often resistant about paying out claims. The bottom line:
An Insurance Company is usually all business!
MYTH #2: YOU WILL COME OUT BETTER IF YOU TRY TO SETTLE A PERSONAL INJURY CASE ON YOUR OWN.
Actually, there is a strong possibility that you will get a better compensation package if you hire a competent attorney to help you stand up for your rights. A capable personal injury lawyer should be knowledgeable about the law and issues involved in personal injury cases. There is a lot to know.
Interestingly, Allstate's own documents show that consumers with attorneys in Bi-Soft Tissue Cases valued between $1,500-$15,000 filing claims against Allstate receive usually 2-3 times more in awards, than people who settle without attorneys.1
More Myths about personal injury automobile cases in the Law Offices of Paul L. Schneiderman Free Report!
Click here to request your free report
1. Source: Consumer Law Reporter, A project of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Spring 2000. Taken from Allstate Insurance Company, Unrepresented Segment Training Manual, July 1995