Summary
How to settle with the insurance company after a car accident?
The aftermath of a car accident can be disorienting. In the confusion and stress, while you’re dealing with potential injuries and damaged property, you may be tempted to agree to whatever the insurance companies say just to make them leave you alone.
When dealing with insurance companies, saying or doing the wrong thing can be a costly mistake. Every missed step or wrong word can have a direct impact on your claim–but you’re not alone. The expert auto accident attorneys at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia can guide you through the process and help you recover every bit of compensation you’re entitled to.
Please contact us online or at (800) 320-HELP to schedule a free consultation with our team.
The immediate aftermath of a car accident is a crucial time for your insurance claim. This is when the best evidence will be available, and the story established here can shape the entire investigation and settlement.
The most important thing to remember when dealing with insurance companies is that they’re businesses, seeing as the insurance market is over a trillion dollars. Their bottom line is always their priority, and that might not line up with your best interests. If they think they can deny your claim, they will.
Here are a few general principles to keep in mind when you’re communicating with any insurance company.
Unfortunately, it is a common car accident injury claim myth that insurers typically offer fair settlement. Your insurance company may seem like they’re on your side, but they’ll only cover you as much as they have to.
They want this problem to go away as quickly and cheaply as possible, no matter what your best interests may be. You’re required to notify your insurance company after you’ve been in an accident, but you don’t have to give them any more information than that.
Avoid offering any unnecessary details, and stay away from any discussion of fault. Any information you give them can be used as a reason to deny your claims and protect their financial interests.
The insurance companies representing any other party involved in the accident are never on your side, and you should avoid communicating with them any more than strictly necessary.
It’s important that you don’t provide any recorded statements without seeking legal advice first. Share only basic information, and avoid discussing specifics of the incident.
The insurance companies may try to make an early settlement offer. Don’t rush to accept–this is likely less than they know you’re owed. Consult with an attorney before agreeing to anything.
While they’re legally obligated to handle things fairly, insurance companies have strong financial incentives to chip away at your claim. Successfully navigating the aftermath of a car accident involves overcoming the various ways insurance companies will try to minimize your payout.
Some of these tactics may include:
These are just some of the ways insurance companies may try to avoid paying out what you’re owed. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you deal with insurance companies to protect their bottom line.
With all of these tactics that insurance companies use, it may feel like the deck is stacked against you. Don’t worry: there are strategies to maximize compensation and protect yourself after a car crash.
The most important way to protect yourself is to contact an auto accident attorney right away. An experienced Florida car accident lawyer can help keep the pressure on the insurance companies and negotiate on your behalf. They have the specialized knowledge it takes to help you seek justice.
The insurance companies will have lawyers working hard to deny you the compensation you deserve. You should have a lawyer to help you fight back.
If you or a loved one have been through a car accident, you deserve to have someone on your side as you recover, negotiate with insurance companies, and seek justice. The team of experienced car accident attorneys at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia can help.
We know what you’re going through, and have a proven track record of success in recovering damages for our clients after car accidents.
To learn more about how we can help or to schedule a free case evaluation, please contact us online or at (800) 320-HELP.
While not mandatory, a police report provides valuable documentation and strengthens your claim. It may be tempting to avoid involving the police, but it’s a good idea in these situations.
If the at-fault party doesn’t have car insurance, there are other options. You can file a compensation claim with your own insurance company, or you can file a lawsuit against the other party.
Both of these strategies can be complicated, and it’s a good idea to work with an experienced attorney if you’re going to recover compensation this way.
Working with an attorney may seem like an unnecessary expense, especially when car accidents can be such a financial burden already. However, many personal injury lawyers don’t require up-front payment. Instead, they get paid only when you receive a settlement.
Victims of speeding accidents can receive compensation for damages such as:
Consult with a car accident lawyer for a personalized evaluation of the damages you may be able to recover.
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Adam Werner is a partner and practicing attorney at WHG. He specializes in personal injury cases, workers’ compensation claims, and veteran disability benefits. He routinely writes about personal injury and workers comp topics for the Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia blog
