Dealing with Your Insurance Company after a Car Accident

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on January 10, 2013

If you have been injured in a car accident, it may be several days before you recover physically and emotionally, as it is an extremely traumatic experience. However, it is difficult to escape dealing with your insurance company in the days after your car accident. You may not only have to talk to your own insurance company, but also to insurance adjusters for other parties who may want to get a variety of information from you. It is critical that you are careful about what you say, what you sign, and what information you provide to these insurance companies. Your actions in these matters can significantly affect your personal injury claim.

What every accident victim should remember is that an insurance company is not your friend. Insurance companies remain profitable by not paying claims that are filed. Insurance adjusters are paid and trained by these companies to find ways and means to prevent paying you. They will go the extra mile to find out information about you and the case that will be advantageous to them. Their goal is to minimize the value of your claim or find ways to deny it.

If the insurance company wants to talk to you, be friendly and cooperative. But do not agree to be recorded. If you are not sure about something, do not say it. What you say can and will be used against you later. Do not sign any paperwork that asks you for access to your personal information. Do not give insurance companies access to your medical or employment records. Victims should also remember not to rush into an agreement or settlement. You should certainly not take the insurance company’s first offer. If you agree to a settlement, your case will be closed and you will not be able to claim anything further.

It would be in your best interest to contact an experienced Bellevue personal injury lawyer who will fight against insurance companies on your behalf and ensure that you receive a fair settlement. Please do not enter into an agreement with an insurance company or any other party before you have consulted your own injury lawyer.