Car insurance is a critical part of recovering damages after an accident. Without insurance, you may not be able to recover money for your hospitals bills, or repair damaged property. However, just because you pay your insurance company to reimburse you for your losses does not mean you can assume that your insurance company (or the other driver’s insurance company) has your best interests in mind.
What You Should Say to the Insurance Company
After an accident, you have a responsibility to contact your insurance company and let them know about the collision. The other driver also has this responsibility, but you cannot rely on someone else’s actions, especially if the accident was their fault.
When you speak with your insurance company, be brief and give them the contact information for the other driver, as well as the name of that person’s insurance company. Once you have an attorney, refer any questions to your lawyer who will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
What You Should Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster
While not every insurance adjuster is out to deny reasonable claims, every insurance company is in the business of making money. If every claim were approved, the company wouldn’t be profitable. For that reason, sometimes claims are denied for little or no reason.
If you need to talk with your insurance company, always be mindful of what you say. Never agree to give a formal statement or sign any documents without speaking with your attorney first. Be aware that seemingly innocent comments, like “the accident took place on a sunny day in clear conditions,” can be twisted to make the accident seem like your fault because you were blinded by the sun.
In addition, never agree to take a settlement for your claim without speaking to your lawyer. Sometimes, just having an attorney on your side will significantly increase the amount of money that your insurance company is willing to offer you in a settlement. You also may be entitled to added compensation, like payments for future medical treatment and physical therapy. Some insurance companies will tell you not to consult with an attorney because the lawyer will take part of your settlement. However, some studies have shown that the net recovery to the injured party was twice as much for represented parties as compared to unrepresented parties with similar injuries.
If you sign a settlement with your insurance company, you will not be able to file a lawsuit later. Before you agree to give up important rights, make sure that you are protected.
The qualified personal injury attorneys at Murphy & Garner, LLC, offer free consultations to injured people and their families. We will evaluate your case, and let you know what your legal options are, whether that means a negotiated settlement or a lawsuit.
Contact the experienced attorneys at Murphy & Garner today at 678-563-1584.
