1. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO TAKE YOUR TIME.
    One thing I hear from a lot of clients is how uncomfortable they were with the insurance company rushing them to settle the claim. The insurance company would like to settle the claim in a hurry. First, that is one more file off of the adjuster’s desk. Second, the longer a claim continues, the more it will tend to cost the insurance company. It is imperative for claimants to stop, think and wait until their claim is ready to be settled before it is time.
  2. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CLAIM YOUR INJURY.
    You may be hurt. Don’t be so quick to exclaim “I’m fine, I’m ok” or answer “No” when asked “Are you hurt?” If you need an ambulance, ask for one. Even if all you have is a headache or a little queasiness, get completely checked out at an urgent care or emergency room. Tell the police or fireman you are hurt if you are. Never tell anyone that you are not hurt. If you don’t know, say: “I don’t know”.
  3. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR CAR FIXED.
    Many times, no matter how badly a person is hurt, his first concern is his car. Your car is important to you, so repair or replacement of your vehicle is also important. You have a right a car which is adequately repaired, if it is not a total wreck. Sometimes there is significant property damage to your vehicle which does show. The insurance company may downplay of the crash. Take your car to someone you trust. Some problems require an expert to detect.
  4. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO A LIKE-KIND RENTAL VEHICLE.
    You are also entitled to a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired or appraised for fair market value in a total wreck scenario. You are entitled to a like-kind vehicle in this event. This means that if you were driving a Hummer, they can’t give you an Echo. If you were driving a truck which you need for your contractor business, you are entitled to a truck that you can use in the same fashion.
  5. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR YOUR VEHICLE IF IT IS TOTALED.
    If you don’t agree with the value placed on your vehicle by the insurance company, collect documentation which shows your vehicle is worth more, such as sale prices of similar vehicles. If your vehicle has special features which are being ignored, point them out. If your vehicle is in great condition or is low mileage, use that to obtain a better replacement value.
  6. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE PAID FOR DIMINISHED VALUE OF YOUR VEHICLE.
    If your car suffered significant but repairable damage in the crash, you should keep in mind that even after the car is repaired you may have suffered additional damage in the form of the diminished value of your vehicle. In order to collect on this claim, you will likely need an appraiser to determine the amount of damage you have suffered.
  7. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY
    Getting your money sooner is not a good reason to settle your claim before you have fully recovered. What if your condition becomes permanent? What if you need surgery? You will not be paid for these circumstances if you give in to pressure from the insurance company to settle your claim before you have completed your treatment. The insurance company will only evaluate your claim based upon the information it has. Wait until your condition has become medically stationary before you settle. Get a statement from your doctor about your future prognosis and the cost of your future treatment before you settle your claim.

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P.S. Remember, before it is too late…take action now and secure time-tested legal representation to solve your problem and ease your mind.
P.P.S. Go ahead and grab your phone right now and dial (480) 565-2000 to speak with Mike Samuels at Samuels Law Group PLC.