Tips When Dealing With Insurance Companies

After dealing with a car accident, the last thing anyone wants is the added stress of dealing with an insurance company and its adjusters.  You will probably already have a whole list of questions swirling in your head, such as "are they going to offer a fair settlement?" or "do I need to look into getting a lawyer."

Not every car accident will require the hiring of a personal injury lawyer.  However, there are some tips to keep in mind that need to be considered to protect yourself better either way.

Recorded Statement

Following the accident, do not offer or give anyone a recorded statement.  Insurance companies, even your own, are not looking out for your best interest but solely for theirs.  They will attempt to convince you that a recorded statement is simply a routine step and that all insurance companies ask for one.  They are truthful in the respect that they all ask for one, but they do not tell you that they will use any information you provide to minimize any monies you recover.  Your best interest will for you to avoid recorded statements like the plague.  If the insurance company presses for a statement, ensure that you have a personal injury lawyer present.

Personal Collision Insurance

When involved in a car accident, your first thought may be that you will need to pursue a claim using your personal collision coverage rather than following a claim with the carrier of the party at fault.  Your thought may be that your insurance will get the repairs done first, and you can deal with the questions later.  Although this will result in getting your car back up and running faster, remember that most insurance companies will require you to cover your collision deductible upfront. If you are not the one at fault, you may be lucky, and your insurance company will follow through and reimburse you. Your best move is to wait, if possible, for the insurance company of the individual that was at fault to finish conducting their investigation and decide if they will honor your claim. The process could take anywhere from 30 to 90 days to finalize, and the downside is you will be without your car.

Injuries Involved

No matter how much the insurance pushes, do not give them a statement, especially if possible injuries are involved.  If injuries are involved, we would strongly advise that you talk to and possibly retain the services of a personal injury lawyer.  Remember that insurance companies do their research and due diligence, and they will know things about your lawyer that you may not.  Such as whether or not they are known to be in the habit of settling their cases and those that are willing to take the case to court if necessary to see that their client gets what they are entitled to. Insurance companies detest going to court due to the increased cost above and beyond any possible settlement. To this extent, they will make it a point to vary the amount of their settlement offer depending on the attorney they will be going up against.  

Don’t Be Too Quick

Vital to understand is that you do not want to be too quick to settle your claim.  Most often, individuals involved in car wrecks assume that they will be fine and will recover from any injuries they sustained, and as a result, they will agree to a small settlement.  However, it is vital to understand that it may take some time for you to heal properly, and there is the possibility you will not recover as you are expecting.  After accepting a settlement, if the injury becomes chronic, you are left with no further recourse.  Be patient, and do not jump to make a quick decision.  You don't want to end up paying medical bills that would have been covered if you had just taken the time and waited.

Attorney Will Do The Heavy Lifting

When it comes to the information that the insurance adjuster for your claim will need, it will be provided by the personal injury lawyer and not the victim – that is part of why you are hiring them.  Any attorney worth their grit will provide the necessary information, ensuring that the adjuster has what they need to value the claim properly and let the insurance company know that, if necessary, they will go to court if they see it is not being done correctly.  You are not to provide any documentation that an adjuster requests.  You will only be tricked into a possible statement, or statements, that could be misconstrued.

The Bryant Law Firm has helped thousands of injury victims in the Greater Houston Area and all across Texas.  Let David A. Bryant, Jr. help you get the appropriate medical treatment and compensation you deserve.

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