Why Insurance Companies Undervalue Dog Bite Claims
More than simply physical injuries may result from dog attacks; victims also experience psychological suffering, ongoing medical care, and unanticipated financial problems. Nevertheless, insurance firms usually provide settlements that are far less than what plaintiffs really need to recuperate, even in cases when these injuries are severe. Anyone coping with a dog attack injury must comprehend why this occurs. By dealing with a lawyer for a dog attack in Denver, victims may protect their legal rights and challenge the tactics employed by insurance companies to lower settlements.
Insurance Businesses Put Profit Before People
A basic reality lies at the heart of every underestimated claim: insurance companies are businesses. Reducing payments and safeguarding profits are their main objectives. Adjusters examine the case from that perspective when a dog bite claim is submitted. Instead of taking into account the entire extent of the harm, they often search for methods to reduce blame and provide justification for a smaller payment. Victims of this strategy must pay astronomical costs for treatment, lost employment, medical care, and other expenditures.
Because injuries may need continuous care, dog bite claims in particular are seen as high-payout risks. Insurers may try to swiftly settle the claim with a low offer before the full amount of the damage is known in order to avoid paying these long-term expenses. To stop victims from being hurried or coerced into taking less than they are entitled to, a lawyer for dog attack in Denversteps in.
Reducing The Severity
Insurance companies often use the tactic of downplaying how bad the injuries are. Deep cuts, nerve damage, infections, scars, and even psychological trauma like anxiety or PTSD may result from dog bites. However, adjusters can assert that the injuries are “minor” or that a quick and affordable recovery is expected.
Additionally, they can contend that certain treatments—like long-term therapy, cosmetic surgery, or follow-up medical procedures—are superfluous. This enables them to lower the claim’s estimated cost. But as anybody who has experienced a dog attack knows, the mental and physical healing process may be far more complicated than insurance companies indicate.
A lawyer for a dog attack in Denver is knowledgeable about how to accurately record the full scope of injuries and refute assertions that attempt to downplay the victim’s suffering.
Putting The Victim At Fault To Lower Liability
Assigning responsibility to the victim is another popular strategy. Insurance companies may assert that the victim behaved carelessly, disregarded warnings, or provoked the dog. It is possible to cast doubt on even minor information, such as being on the dog owner’s property.
Insurers try to lower the amount of compensation by implying joint blame. They could even attempt to completely refute the assertion in some situations. For victims who were just strolling, going to see a friend, or going about their daily lives when the incident happened, this might be quite upsetting.
A competent lawyer is able to thwart these tactics. A lawyer for a dog attack in Denver can assist in making sure the victim isn’t unjustly held responsible for an event they had no control over. Colorado has clear regulations governing dog owner accountability.
Disregarding Psychological And Emotional Harms
Attacks by dogs may cause trauma. Numerous victims have nightmares, nervousness with animals, a dread of going outdoors, and other emotional difficulties. There may be long-lasting psychological repercussions, especially in children.
Because emotional damages are more difficult to quantify, insurance firms usually undervalue them or ignore them entirely. However, these damages are acknowledged by law and are genuine. To make sure that these damages are included in the claim, a lawyer for dog attack in Denver understands how to compile supporting documentation from therapists, medical professionals, and firsthand accounts.
Putting Pressure On Victims To Make Fast Settlements
The urge to settle fast is one of the most frequent causes of dog bite claims being devalued. Insurance companies often make a low offer early on, sometimes even days after the assault. They are aware that victims feel anxious, overburdened, and uncertain about what to do next. Although a quick settlement could appear alluring, victims may decide not to pursue more compensation if they accept it.
The matter is permanently concluded if a settlement is agreed upon. The victim is now liable for any further costs. A lawyer for dog attacks in Denver makes sure that victims are aware of their legal options and avoid making the mistake of settling for less than what they really need.
