When you’ve been in a car or truck accident, you may think that the worst is behind you; however, if you aren’t paying attention, you can dig yourself deeper into trouble. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is speaking with an insurance claim adjuster after a car accident. Before you discuss any details of your wreck, it’s critical that you obtain quality legal representation. Here’s why:
Insurance Adjusters Report to Their Employer, Not to Your Insurance Agency
An insurance adjuster’s role is to investigate claims against their company to determine whether the claims are legitimate and whether or not they are required to compensate the other party fairly. Insurance adjusters can seem like neutral parties whose only intention is to help you mediate your claim between you and the insurance company – this could not be further from the truth. Insurance adjusters are employees of that particular company; their livelihood depends on how capable they are of reducing the fiscal responsibility of their employer. To be very clear, their job is to save the insurance company as much money as possible. This is done by paying injury victims the least amount of money possible or by not paying anything at all.
What Should I Say to the Insurance Company?
Speaking to an insurance adjuster on either side about your injuries or describing how the accident happened could jeopardize your case. Cooperation doesn’t mean disclosing every detail of the accident. You should be cautious who you speak with and what you tell them, but never get too descriptive. You do not want to give specifics about injuries or who was at fault; however, if you are involved in an accident, providing basic information about the incident to your own insurance company is ok. It is perfectly fine to share where and when the accident happened as well as details about the people who were involved.
Insurance Adjusters Need You On Record
If you were injured because of a car accident, you should always seek an attorney’s advice a soon as possible. Speaking to the at-fault party’s insurance company is surely going to make your case that much harder to win. Their goal is simple, to pay out as little money as possible. Unfortunately, the company’s profit comes at your expense, and they will ask you specific questions to be used against you. A friendly conversation can easily turn into the insurance adjuster fishing for information that will allow them to deny, delay, or undervalue your personal injury claim.
For instance, an accident victim might say, “No, I don’t have neck pain,” only to wake up with horrible pains the following day. The insurance company can and will use this against you because what you disclose is on record. Insurance adjusters may seem patient, helpful, and concerned about your well-being in order to gain your trust and get you to open up. Don’t allow yourself to be talked into admitting something that isn’t true or believe that the settlement you are offered is the one you should take.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Knows Best
Very often, the evidence that tells a different story can be uncovered after the fact. A personal injury attorney has the experience and resources to discover the evidence to support your case. Surveillance footage of the accident scene or medical evaluations may reveal new information or prove the severity of your illness in ways that you may have not been aware of. While insurance companies will resist accepting new information because it increases the value of your claim, in the court of law, it must be reviewed.
This is why a qualified personal injury attorney is your best chance at getting the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies may try to offer quick cash, meaning they are trying to lock in the lowest settlement possible by shortchanging the accident victim. Taking advantage of the fact that you are overwhelmed, in pain, and fighting medical bills, lost wages, and other stressors is not above any insurance company.
Once you sign a settlement agreement, you are locked into it for good. This waives your right to file a lawsuit against the insurance agency for more money or hire a lawyer to represent you if your compensation was insubstantial. If you discover that your injuries are more serious, for example, there is little a lawyer can do.
Personal Injury Lawyers Work At Little or No Cost to You
Personal injury attorneys use a contingency fee agreement meaning there is no money upfront and no fee unless you win your case. Experienced attorneys like Wilson Law Firm take a comprehensive look at how your injuries will impact you in the long run by assessing your health, financial situation, employment, household, and other factors that can warrant a hefty settlement. For example, you may need surgery in the future or your earning capacity may be reduced, yet your household is dependent upon you, this is something that an attorney can present to the Judge or Jury. An insurance company will not consider these factors during their payout offer. Attorneys will consider the value of your pain and suffering, and no quick offer from an insurance agency can rectify certain losses.
Victim of a Car Accident Near Biloxi, MS? Hire Wilson Law Firm Today
Having your own legal representative to speak to the insurance company is your best chance of getting the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone’s negligence, Wilson Law Firm can protect you from the many tactics of an insurance company. As your personal injury attorney in Mississippi, we will strategize to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries. For a free consultation, call (228) 436-6391 or contact us online.