Being in a car accident is no walk in the park. It can be an incredibly stressful experience. There’s the initial adrenaline rush from the event itself. Then follows the stress and worry that comes with the damage done to your vehicle and the injuries you’ve suffered. One would hope that, given everything you’re going through, the insurance companies might be willing to help you out. Unfortunately, dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be tricky at best. So how do you deal with them?
The Insurance Company Isn’t On Your Side
Remember that none of the insurance companies are on your side—not even yours. Insurance companies exist as a business. Their whole business model relies on them turning a profit. They can’t do that if they’re paying tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements. It’s in the company’s best interest to offer the lowest settlement possible, even if it’s not what you deserve. They’ll carefully record everything you say. If you say something that they can use to indicate that your situation is less severe, they’ll justify offering you a reduced settlement. For this reason, if you talk to any insurance company, it’s essential to be very careful with what you tell them.
Get A Good Car Accident Lawyer
Given all of the stress you’re likely experiencing, the last thing you want is to deal with insurance companies and navigating the claims process. Even if you’re extremely careful with what you say, you still may not get a fair settlement offer. One of the best things you can do for your case is to retain a good car accident lawyer’s services. A good lawyer can advise you about what you should do and what you shouldn’t do when dealing with insurance companies. Once you have a car accident lawyer, tell the insurance company that you’ve retained the services of an attorney and to direct all communications through them. If you’re unsure about retaining an attorney, we offer complimentary consultations that you can schedule. A consultation will allow you to see if you are a good fit for one another and give you an idea of what to expect if you retain their services.
Never Talk to the Insurance Company Without Your Car Accident Attorney Present
For the most part, any communications from the insurance companies should be going through your lawyer. If you do end up communicating with them, it’s imperative that you make sure your attorney is present when you do. Not only does that help keep the two of you on the same page, but it also allows your attorney to guide you through the conversation. That will help you avoid saying something that could inadvertently hurt your case.
Never Accept a Settlement Without Sleeping On It
Generally speaking, the first settlement you’re offered is likely to be a low-ball offer. Even if it has been a long time since your accident and you’re eager to get it behind you, don’t just accept the offer right away. At a bare minimum, you should sleep on it first. Give yourself the time to figure out if it’s a fair offer that you’re comfortable accepting. Take the time to talk to your lawyer as well. Your lawyer should have a pretty good idea of whether or not it’s the best offer you can get or even a fair one. If they think you can get a better offer, you’re probably better off refusing that offer and allowing your lawyer to negotiate a better one for you.
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident isn’t an easy thing to do, especially with everything else you’re going through. Remember, the insurance companies aren’t on your side, but having a good car accident lawyer on your side can make a huge difference. Let them handle the insurance company to get back to the more essential aspects of your accident recovery.
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