What Not to Do When Dealing With the Insurance Company
If you've read any of our most recent blog posts, you have been made aware that, generally speaking, insurance companies (including your own!) are not on your side. When you are involved in a car accident, especially one where there are serious injuries with a potentially high settlement amount, insurance companies often employ a variety of bad faith tactics to avoid paying out what accident victims rightfully deserve. Before you speak with your insurance claims adjuster, consider reaching out to an experienced accident attorney to help guide you through the process.
What Not To Say
If you decide to reach out to your insurance claims adjuster, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind in order to protect your best interests, including:
- Do not agree to give recorded statements.
- Do not sign a release or any other documents.
- Do not authorize ALL medical records. The insurer only has the right to see the medical records related to your accident, not your entire medical history. Insurance companies sometimes try to use pre-exisiting conditions to blame current medical issues, thereby decreasing your settlement offer.
- Do not accept the first settlement offer. If an insurance adjuster offers you money early on, remember that it’s likely a lowball offer in the hopes that you’ll settle early, before you know the full extent of your damages.
- Limit your communications with the insurance company. Every phone call, meeting, or piece of paperwork could be used against you down the road.
This list is not exhaustive. Insurance companies are often coming up with new ways to drag out paying accident victims what they deserve. To ensure that your legal rights and financial recovery are being protected, you will want to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney early on.
What To Do
After an auto accident, you want to be treated fairly and know that your interests are being looked out for. Who is on your side if your own insurance company is not? A proven car accident attorney with a track record of success dealing with insurance companies. For a free no obligation consultation with our experienced legal team, contact Ghozland Law Firm today. Our attorneys will fight for maximum compensation for your injuries and property damage.
