Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, you have the right to pursue compensation. However, that doesn’t mean that obtaining fair compensation will come easy. The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely contact you after the accident. When you answer this call, remember that the insurance adjuster doesn’t have your best interest at heart, so you should proceed with caution.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when talking to the insurance company.
Being Dishonest
While you don’t want to give the at-fault party’s insurance company too much information, you also don’t want to outright lie to them. If you attempt to exaggerate your injuries or property damage, it could backfire in the end. Insurance companies conduct thorough investigations and will likely find out if you lied to them. This can make you look less credible in court, which may harm your claim.
Saying You’re Sorry
When you talk to an insurance adjuster, you might feel like offering an apology is the polite thing to do. However, saying you’re sorry can actually jeopardize your injury case. Even if you think you might be partially to blame for the accident, you should never apologize to an insurance company. The insurance company will conduct an investigation to find out who was responsible for the accident.
Settling Right Away
Sometimes insurance companies offer settlements during the first phone conversation. When your medical bills are piling up, it is certainly tempting to accept a settlement offer. However, settling too soon may not be in your best interest. An insurance company’s initial settlement will rarely be enough to cover all of your expenses. It’s important to speak to a personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement.
Giving a Recorded Statement
When an insurance company contacts you after an accident, they may ask you to provide a recorded statement. Don’t agree to this. They may ask questions intended to trip you up so that you say something that will weaken your case.
Making Guesses
When communicating with an insurance company after an accident, just stick to the facts. If you aren’t sure about an answer to a question, don’t guess. If you speculate and what you said turns out to be not true, it could make you look less credible.
If you were hurt in an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer, like one from Burton Law Firm.