Insurance companies take advantage of uninformed customers on a regular basis. Sometimes, they’ll even drop a customer after an accident all together.
Knowing your rights and being informed is important when dealing with insurance companies after a personal injury accident. Although your number one concern is your own well being, the car insurance companies have a different idea in mind. They are, after all, a business looking to make a profit.
When dealing with an insurance company after a car accident, here are some of the things to watch out for…
They Offer You A Small Settlement
Immediately after your car accident, the insurance company may try and get you to accept a “low-ball” settlement offer. They know how vulnerable victims can be after their accident. Once you accept their offer and cash the check, the case is settled. But, you don’t have to accept it.
Your other option is to contact a personal injury lawyer, as you may be entitled to receive a larger compensation than the one the insurance company initially offers you.
They Tell You That You Need A Recorded Statement
Car insurance companies may try and get you to make a recorded statement in order to use it against you in the future. They want you to record the details of your car accident situation because they want to have details on record about the accident, and your injuries.
It can prove to be dangerous to talk to the insurance company about these details prior to consulting with a personal injury lawyer. If you don’t report an injury in the recorded statement because you weren’t aware yet that you were injured, it can work against you moving forward.
It’s the same in terms of damages to your vehicle. The initial inspection may not reflect the full extent of the damage to your vehicle. Once you take your car to a body shop, they will determine the full extent of the damage to your car.
They Ignore Your Calls
Sometimes insurance companies will use stalling tactics to try and get you to give up on your case. They may ignore your phone calls or take their time calling you back. This is in order to make you lose patience and take their low settlement offer. You do NOT have to do this.
Working with an attorney, you can rest assured knowing a professional is dealing with the insurance company who is well versed in the games they play.
They May Stalk You Online
With everybody on social media these days, insurance companies can follow you online and look for any evidence that they can use against you in your case. Anything from posts, photos, and comments can be used as evidence to show that a person is lying or exaggerating their claim.
For this reason, it is important to be careful what you post online if you have a personal injury claim against an insurance company.
With guidance from an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can be informed and aware in order to get the greatest result in your case when dealing with insurance companies.
Contact A Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in a car accident and need help with your claim, do not hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Michael A. Rabban at 818-272-8882.
