This is part four in a series of posts regarding why someone hurt in a car accident should make a claim with the insurance company.
I recently told the story of a friend that called me because her sister was hit by a car while crossing the street. The sister did not want to file a claim. My friend’s sister felt bad and did not want to impose on the person that hit her or the insurance company. Here is how I explained it:
The minute you were hurt because the driver caused the pedestrian accident, you are entitled to money for what you have been through. It is like you are at a table with the insurance company on the other side, and we suddenly put $50,000 of your money in the middle of the table. It is your money. You are entitled to that money because it is fair compensation for the injuries you suffered. (Obviously, the amount of money will vary depending upon the extent of the injuries).
Now that your money is in the middle of the table, the insurance company says: “I think we are going to take your money. We know it is your money, but we are rich and powerful and if we take it, there is not much you can do. If you want to deal with it, you can hire an attorney, but we will make you and your attorney work hard to get your money back. If you hire the right personal injury attorney, you will get it back, but we have a large team of trial lawyers and we do not mind the fight.”
Somehow insurance companies have convinced our juries that people who seek compensation when they are injured are bad. The insurance companies have done such a good job of this, that people that are injured feel like they are doing something immoral by asking for the compensation they deserve. They have no problem paying huge premiums. They are frustrated when the insurance CEO’s take millions of dollars. But so often, people do not feel right about fighting to keep their own money.
If you are injured because someone else was negligent, please do not fall for the insurance companies line. People injured in Southern California automobile accidents are entitled to compensation, even if they have to hire an attorney to get it. It does not help you or anyone else to let the insurance company keep your money