General Personal Injury FAQs — Santa Cruz

• ❓Will a gap in my medical care ruin my case in Santa Cruz?
  Not necessarily. Life, work, and delayed onset symptoms happen. We explain the timeline and connect you with appropriate providers. When adjusters say “We need more documentation.,” we counter with consistent documentation so the insurer can’t weaponize normal scheduling gaps.
• ❓An adjuster told me “You didn’t follow doctor’s orders..” Can a Santa Cruz personal injury lawyer still help?
  Yes. Adjusters regularly say “You didn’t follow doctor’s orders.,” even when liability and damages are strong. We document fault with police reports, witnesses, and experts, then negotiate with carriers like Western National Insurance. If they won’t deal fairly, we prepare for a damages awarded in settlement conference and pursue full compensation.
• ❓How do I respond if the adjuster claims my injuries were pre-existing?
  Even if you had prior issues, the law in Santa Cruz allows recovery when a crash aggravates a condition. We show the before/after difference with records and expert testimony — critical for injuries like hip replacement due to trauma. Don’t accept “You didn’t notify us within the required time frame.” at face value.
• ❓The insurance company says my treatment wasn’t necessary — do I have options?
  Absolutely. Carriers (e.g., Patriot Insurance) often second-guess medical care to cut payouts. For clients such as a landscaper struck by passing car with skull fracture, we use treating-physician opinions, imaging, and billing audits to prove care was reasonable and related to the crash.
• ❓What should I do if American National says “We’re waiting on a supervisor’s approval.” after my Santa Cruz crash?
  Insurers like American National often use lines such as “We’re waiting on a supervisor’s approval.” to stall or minimize claims. Even injuries like laryngeal fracture can be life-changing. In Santa Cruz, we gather medical proof, challenge delay tactics, and, if needed, push for a seven-figure award granted in 229th Judicial District Court — outcomes in our files include results up to 684K.
• ❓Do I have to take a low offer or can we fight for a better result?
  You never have to accept a lowball. We negotiate hard with insurers, and when needed we move toward a seven-figure award granted in 229th Judicial District Court. Our case histories include results such as 1.29M. The goal is simple: fair compensation for your losses in Santa Cruz.