As New Hampshire Injury Lawyers, we are often asked by our personal injury clients: “How do insurance companies value my injury claim”. The answer is neither simple nor straightforward. However, our injury attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience in dealing with these companies and have come to learn many of their evaluation methods.
Many insurance companies today utilize a computer program to determine the value of your NH automobile or motorcycle accident. The computer program is called Colossus. And, by our estimation, is used by more than 50% of claims adjusters. Colossus, and other such programs, allow the claims adjuster to input information about your NH injury, such as your medical injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. The computer system will also accept information concerning the severity of the collision, the location of where the injury occurred, and where the claim, or potential lawsuit, may be filed. With that information, Colossus will provide a range of values for your injuries, which values the adjuster will use when offering to settle your claim.
Colossus and other such programs also consider whether or not your injuries are permanent in nature when determining value. Broken bones, bulging or herniated disks, and loss of mobility or functionality will be awarded greater value than soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries which can be objectively documented by CT scans and MRI are given more weight and value.
Computer programs like Colossus also have the ability to track information concerning your personal injury lawyer. Information like the nature, volume, and types of claims brought, settlement amounts and recent Jury verdicts can be accounted for. This insurance company program allows the adjuster to know whether your NH injury lawyer simply settles cases for the first offer made, or will fight for his clients to obtain a fair settlement or verdict.
Despite all the technology Colossus has, it fails in certain critical areas. Specifically, it does not have the ability to comprehend and compute the nature and complexity of pain and suffering. And, as experienced NH injury lawyers, we know that pain and suffering is a critical aspects of our client’s injury case. As such, your New Hampshire injury attorney must know how to properly negotiate the Colossus parameters and values when dealing with an adjuster so that the pain and suffering component of your injury is properly considered.
Our New Hampshire personal injury attorneys have the experience and know-how to represent your best interests. We understand the methods insurance companies use to evaluate your injuries. Our injury lawyers carefully prepare our demand packages to ensure that we present the full measure of your damages such that our clients receive full compensation for their injuries. And, if a voluntary settlement cannot be reached, we have the legal experience and resources to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
The NH personal injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. handle a wide variety of serious injury cases including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. If you have been severely injured, call our NH injury lawyers today for a free and confidential telephone evaluation. Our Injury Helpline is (603) 614-5055.