Dealing with the Insurance Company
Dealing with your insurance company and agents from the other party's insurance provider is an inevitable part of handling a car accident claim. What you say, what you do and how you approach your claim may all have an impact on the final outcome and your ability to recover fair compensation for your
injuries. This is one of the reasons it may be helpful to hire a
car accident lawyer to handle your claim, particularly if you were seriously injured or your vehicle sustained a great deal of damage. Because insurance providers are more hesitant to pay out large settlements, it may be more difficult to recover fair compensation after a serious accident.
Do's and Don'ts When Handling a Car Accident Insurance Claim
We have included a few helpful tips to keep in mind when dealing with the insurance company.
- Do contact your insurance company as soon as possible to inform them that you have been involved in a car accident.
- Do take the time to read and understand your insurance policy so you have a good idea of what is and is not covered.
- Do keep detailed notes, receipts and records of the accident itself, all expenses related to the accident, all conversations with insurance adjusters and any other dealings with employees of your or the other driver's insurance company.
- Do be honest in handling your claim. This is important to avoid allegations of insurance fraud, which may result in the denial of your claim.
- Don't apologize to the other driver or say anything that makes it seem as though you believe you are responsible for the collision.
- Don't talk to the other driver's insurance adjuster about what caused the accident. They may be fishing for information that would result in you being held accountable.
- Don't sign anything provided by your or the other driver's insurance company unless you fully understand its implications.
- Don't sign a waiver or release of any kind without completely understanding what this means. If you are unsure, have an attorney review it.
- Don't accept a settlement unless you are 100% certain that it is fair and reasonable. If you are not sure whether a settlement offer is fair, talk to a lawyer who can accurately assess its worth.
When in doubt, it may be best to consult an attorney. Dealing with the insurance company can be tricky, to say the least. If you feel that you are being taken advantage of or are unsure of your rights, an attorney can help. Your lawyer can handle every single aspect of your claim, handling all communication with the insurance company so you don't have to. If the insurance provider acts in bad faith in handling your claim, your lawyer can take legal action on your behalf to hold them accountable for this illegal conduct.
Click here to find a car accident lawyer in your area who may be able to help with your insurance claim.