Blog Archives

Yelling at Insurance Adjusters

1/18/2023

I can’t tell you how many times clients try to handle things on their own, and then end up yelling at the insurance adjuster in frustration. Then they call me as if I’m supposed to make everything OK. Now I am dealing with an irate insurance adjuster who is, at the end of the day, a human being like anyone else. If they are insulted or yelled at, they will likely dig their heels in the sand.

The best thing to do is not to make the matter personal. The insurance adjuster is only doing his or her job. Their job is to hoard money for the insurance company. They are not interested in your problems, and they do not share your concerns. They may seem very helpful (and many of them can indeed be helpful), but their interests are not the same as yours.

Yelling at the insurance will only infuriate them and cause them to be more difficult. I always ask clients, “Why are you yelling at the same person who may be writing you a check one day?“ To be honest, there have been times in my history where I lost my cool and ended up yelling at the insurance adjuster. I'm not proud of those times. Truth be told, it never ends well and doesn’t help move the case forward.

You can respectfully disagree and be civil the entire time. There is nothing to be gained by antagonism. Over the years, I have found that having a good relationship with the insurance adjuster (and the defense attorney as may be the case), is helpful to getting the case resolved.

Failure to install optional safety features

1/2/2023

Failure to install optional vehicle safety features can contribute to injuries in car accidents because these features are designed to enhance the overall safety of the vehicle and protect occupants in various scenarios. Optional safety features often provide additional layers of protection beyond the basic safety features that come standard in vehicles. Here are some ways in which the absence of optional safety features could result in increased injury risk:

Crash Avoidance Technologies: Optional safety features, such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring, can help drivers avoid accidents altogether or reduce the severity of a collision. Without these features, drivers may be more vulnerable to certain types of accidents.
Occupant Protection: Some optional features focus on protecting occupants during a collision. For example, side-impact airbags, rearview cameras, and advanced restraint systems can minimize the impact on occupants and reduce the risk of injuries.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety: Certain safety features, like pedestrian detection systems and automatic braking for pedestrians or cyclists, can prevent accidents involving vulnerable road users. Without these features, the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists may increase.

Manufacturers have a responsibility to advise customers about optional safety features for several reasons:

Informed Decision-Making: Consumers need to make informed decisions about the safety features they want in their vehicles. Manufacturers should provide clear and accessible information about the benefits of optional safety features, allowing customers to understand the potential impact on their safety.
Regulatory Compliance: In many regions, there are regulations and standards that govern the disclosure of safety-related information to consumers. Manufacturers are often required to provide information about optional safety features to comply with these regulations.
Liability and Duty of Care: Manufacturers have a duty of care to produce safe vehicles, and failure to inform customers about optional safety features that could significantly enhance vehicle safety may expose them to liability in the event of an accident.
Industry Best Practices: Following industry best practices, manufacturers should prioritize safety and take steps to ensure that customers are aware of available safety features. This not only aligns with ethical considerations but also contributes to building trust with consumers.

In conclusion, the absence of optional safety features can increase the risk of injuries in car accidents. Manufacturers have a responsibility to provide clear information about these features to empower consumers to make safety-conscious choices and to fulfill their duty of care in producing safe vehicles. If you or someone was injured due to a missing safety feature, you should consult with an experienced attorney.

Law Office of Robert Mansour
Santa Clarita Personal Injury Blog

Yelling at Insurance Adjusters

Failure to install optional safety features

Attorney Robert Mansour

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Law Office of Robert MansourSanta Clarita Personal Injury Blog

Yelling at Insurance Adjusters

Failure to install optional safety features

Attorney Robert Mansour

Categories

Archives

Law Office of Robert Mansour
Santa Clarita Personal Injury Blog