The days after a car accident can be filled with pain, stress, and uncertainty. Often you will receive calls from one or more insurance company seeking information about your car accident, injuries, medical history, and more. What are your obligations, and what are your rights? The best and simplest advice is to contact an attorney prior to speaking with any insurance company. However, should you find yourself on the phone with an insurance adjuster, keep the following tips in mind.
Find out who you are talking to.
While you must comply with reasonable requests from your own insurance company, you are under no obligation to speak to the insurance company for the other drivers involved, and you should refrain from doing so. Often the other driver’s insurance company will attempt to obtain damaging information regarding the cause of the crash or your medical history in an attempt to lessen the value of your claim.
Be honest.
Misrepresentations can become tremendous problems later and might prevent you from obtaining compensation entirely.
Avoid discussing settlement of your injury claim.
An at-fault driver’s insurance company may offer a small settlement in the days immediately following the car accident in an attempt to “buy a release” and close a claim before the true nature of your injuries can be determined. You should allow time for your injuries to be fully treated, and have your case evaluated by an experienced car accident attorney, before ever discussing settlement numbers with an insurance adjuster.
What’s the easiest way to deal with insurance adjusters? Let us do it for you! Contact the car accident attorneys at Michles & Booth at (800) 848-6168 for a free in-person consultation and case evaluation.
