| A bodily injury claim comes about when through | | | | records. The insurance adjuster will review those |
| the negligence or fault of another you are hurt. | | | | and will point out that in such and such date; you |
| Most of the time you will be dealing with the | | | | stated that you went boating. This implies that |
| insurance company of the person that hit you (if | | | | you were not injured or your pain was not that |
| they have insurance), but sometimes you will be | | | | bad to stop you from going out. For more |
| dealing your own insurance company if that | | | | information about how claim adjusters evaluate |
| person did not carry liability coverage. You will be | | | | bodily injury claim visit: |
| making an uninsured bodily injury claim. The | | | | Tip # 4: Ask the emergency doctor for a work |
| process is the same, except that you will be | | | | release even if believe you do not need one. Most |
| settling against your own insurance company. | | | | whiplash injuries do not appear until the next day |
| There are many ways to handle and settle a | | | | or two. Coming back in to see a doctor to give |
| bodily injury claims. However there are certain | | | | you a work release can be a hassle. However, if |
| things you can do to get the most of the process | | | | you ask for it, most doctors will be willing to give |
| and settle for what you deserve. | | | | it to you on the spot. If you do not need it, then |
| Tip # 1: Your bodily injury claim starts when you | | | | that is great. But if you do, you will be happy you |
| go in to the doctor. If you are in a car accident | | | | have one. This also helps you show that the |
| and you believe you are injured, it is prudent to | | | | doctors felt that your injury could keep you away |
| go in and get checked out at the emergency | | | | from your work location. This is strong evidence |
| room. If you carry personal injury protection in | | | | that your injury was substantial and should |
| your policy, the medical bills will be paid by your | | | | increase the value of a pain and suffering award. |
| own insurance company first. Going in to the | | | | Tip # 5: Ask the doctor for a referral. Emergency |
| emergency room will help you show that your | | | | doctors will only see you because of an |
| injuries deserve immediate medical attention. Go | | | | emergency (car accident). They will not continue |
| to the emergency room as soon as you can, | | | | treating you. Insurance adjusters are wary of |
| even if that is two or three days after the | | | | people who just go straight to a chiropractor or a |
| accident (sometimes that is when the pain will be | | | | physical therapist. So ask for a referral or go to |
| the worst). | | | | your primary practitioner and ask for a referral |
| Tip # 2: Disclose all your symptoms to the | | | | there. |
| emergency room doctor. They will take close | | | | Tip # 6: Go to that doctor. It is important that |
| notes about your symptoms. If you forget or for | | | | you follow up with the doctor soon after the initial |
| whatever reason you do not disclose this | | | | visit. Any delay could make things worst for your |
| information, they will never be noted in the initial | | | | back and neck. Be sure to express all your |
| report. You will find out that insurance adjusters | | | | symptoms, even depression (if that is present). |
| will review those records very closely and will try | | | | Adjusters will review those medical records and |
| to diminish the value of your injury by telling you | | | | will find exactly what you tell the doctor. If you |
| that "you did not report that type of pain or | | | | keep your pain silent, then the adjuster will |
| injury the day you went to the emergency | | | | assume that you did not have any. |
| room". | | | | Tip # 7: Stick to your treatment schedule. If you |
| Tip # 3: Be careful with what you say. Doctors | | | | start skipping dates and not doing everything in |
| like to ask open questions like "how are you | | | | your power to get better, adjusters will decrease |
| doing" and "how was your weekend". Many | | | | the value of your claim. Adjusters will justify gaps |
| patients just start talking about how they went | | | | in treatment as an injury that was not very |
| golfing, boating, and they mowed the lawn. All | | | | significant. If you were in pain, then you would |
| these activities will be reported on the medical | | | | have gone to the doctor. |