In the days or weeks after an accident, you may consider whether you have a personal injury case that allows for you to obtain compensation for your injuries. In the wake of an accident, you may receive calls from the defendant’s insurance company. It’s important to be aware that you put yourself at risk for disclosing information that may be harmful to your case. This is a primary reason you may want to obtain legal counsel from an experienced personal injury lawyer, while keeping the following tips in mind along the way should you interface with insurance companies in the wake of an accident:
Tip #1: Take Your Time
Take the time to carefully weigh your options before you speak with an insurance company. If an insurance company has made attempts to contact you, you may feel pressured to respond right away. Additionally, when answering questions pertaining to your case, it’s not uncommon to have your guard down. Prior to speaking with an insurance company, you may want to at least consult with a personal injury lawyer to determine if you need legal assistance for your case. This can ensure that any communication with insurance companies are strategically managed.
Tip #2: Be Careful That You Do Not Admit Fault or Minimize Your Injuries
If you speak with the insurance company, they will probably ask you a number of questions pertaining to the details surrounding your accident. When a claims adjuster has been assigned to your case, they will seek to pay out as little as possible for your accident. Because of this, they may look to get you to either admit that you are partially responsible for your accident or minimize the injuries you have faced. The last thing you want is for an insurance adjuster to undervalue your case as the result of a misstep you took when answering their questions. Your lawyer can help protect you during communication with the insurance company so that you are able to maximize your settlement offer.
Tip #3: Allow Your Attorney to Negotiate for You
An insurance company may offer you an early settlement offer. This may be in an attempt to settle your accident case as quickly as possible. In most cases, early settlement offers are often grossly undervalued. Although it may be tempting to settle, it’s important to consult with your lawyer, and allow them to do the talking. They will be able to not only assist in assigning fair value to your accident, but negotiating the settlement that you deserve.
Dealing with insurance companies while recovering from an accident can not only be overwhelming, but also stressful. While you may think that speaking with insurance companies is a necessary and harmless step towards obtaining the compensation that is rightfully yours; this may be far from true. Speaking with insurance companies about your accident without the assistance of a skilled personal injury lawyer could result in you walking away empty handed. If you have been injured in an accident and are considering taking legal action, contact a personal injury lawyer.