After a car accident, one of the things you may need to do is file an insurance claim. If you have been keeping up with your premiums and you’re covered, it’s only fair for you to expect your insurer to pay up. However, this may be easier said than done because your insurance adjuster has their best interests at heart, not yours. According to Driver Knowledge, roughly 3 million people in the U.S. get injured each year in car accidents. This translates to a high number of people filing insurance claims, so insurance companies will try to save as much money as possible by refusing to pay or giving you less than you deserve. This is where car accident attorneys come in.
How Can Car Accident Attorneys Help Me?
There’s a lot that your car accident attorney can do when dealing with insurance companies on your behalf. Experienced car accident attorneys that handle a lot of cases like yours understand the language of insurance representatives. Unlike you, car accident attorneys are not seen as a vulnerable target because of their expertise and intimate knowledge of the law. Your attorney can help by being the middleman when there’s a need to communicate with the insurance adjuster. That means you don’t have to talk to the insurance company directly if you don’t want to. Instead, if the insurance company tries to get in touch with you, all you have to do is give them your lawyer’s number.
When you file your insurance claim, you can rely on your attorney to negotiate a fair settlement. This is where you need your attorney’s negotiating skills more than ever because most insurance companies make it a habit to never accept a claim right away. Either that or they will send you an inferior counteroffer settlement amount that doesn’t cover all the damages resulting from your accident. Fortunately, getting help from a car accident lawyer can work in your favor. Additionally, your lawyer will help you gather evidence of fault and liability or represent you in court where necessary.
Should I Talk to My Lawyer Before I Talk to an Insurance Adjuster?
As stated, a car accident lawyer can help you stand up to insurance companies, but at which point should you seek the services of an experienced lawyer? Generally, it’s best to hire a lawyer before you even talk to an insurance company. You may be tempted to file your own insurance claim, but this might not help your case. Remember, you’re dealing with auto insurance companies that already have a team of lawyers who work to save the insurance company money by reducing compensation or denying your claim outright. An insurance company is a business that prioritizes its profits, so you need a lawyer that prioritizes your rights.
Since your attorney is already familiar with car accident claims, they can improve your chances of success when going against intimidating insurance companies. The sooner you hire an attorney, the better your chances. If there’s any need for you to communicate with your insurance adjuster, keep the conversation as brief as possible and only report the relevant details. For instance, you should only limit the conversation to the property that was damaged or the injuries that were sustained as a result of the car accident. Keep your comments objective and avoid anything that might devalue your claim, such as admitting you feel fine when you’re still yet to read your doctor’s full report about the extent of your injuries.
What Can I Expect If My Attorney Negotiates on My Behalf?
The details of car accident cases vary, so it all depends on how complicated your case is. Complicated cases are those where the insurance company might dispute liability, in which case you need to gather enough evidence to prove negligence. Negotiations may also take longer if large amounts of money are involved since insurance companies will try every tactic to reduce the size of the payout. In any case, you can rely on your car accident attorney to do their best to represent you.
If you’re in a car accident, the good news is that you don’t have to worry about dealing with insurance representatives or handling the case all on your own. With an experienced car accident lawyer at your side, you have a higher chance of getting the compensation you deserve. It’s better to leave it to the professionals and let your attorney flex their negotiation muscles by dealing with the insurance companies on your behalf. Get in touch with us today at Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey to learn more about how we’ll stand up to insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.