Have you recently been involved in an accident that left you injured? To ensure that you get the settlement that you deserve, avoid making these common mistakes along the way!
When you are involved in an accident that leaves you injured and unable to return to work, ensuring that you win a financial settlement can make all the difference in your journey to healing and recovery. The process of working with an insurance company can be stressful, and when piled on top of your injury, you may wish to move through the process as quickly as possible and not ruffle any feathers.
Unfortunately, most insurance companies are only looking out for their bottom line. This can mean that when it comes to how you answer an insurance adjuster’s questions throughout the claims process, statements that may seem to be in your favor can be used against you.
At Reeder & Nussbaum, our team of personal injury attorneys works daily with individuals who have fallen victim to insurance companies taking advantage of statements to reduce potential claims settlements. If you are involved in an accident, you must go into your initial conversations with an insurance company with a strategy. Here are three things you should avoid saying to your insurance company in order to make sure you get the financial settlement you deserve.
Don’t Contact The Insurance Company In A State of Shock
Regardless of the severity of the situation, an accident can leave you in a state of shock, confusion, and pain. While common sense would tell you to immediately contact your insurance company, doing so without a clear mind may leave you at the mercy of miscommunication and bad-faith questioning.
Remember that an insurance company desires to help you as their client and has their own best interests in mind. Before you speak with an insurance agent, take the time to calm down and make sure you have all the facts about your accident. Speaking first with a personal injury attorney can also help you create a strategy for working with your insurance company.
Never Admit Fault Without Proper Information
When faced with a stressful situation, it is human nature to try and take responsibility at the moment to avoid awkward conversations. Even if you may think that the accident was your fault, avoid admitting this to your insurance agent right away. In many cases, fault can be applied to both parties. If your insurance company believes that you are admitting fault to the accident, the chances of your receiving a settlement will plummet immediately.
Don’t Say You Are Okay If You Aren’t Okay
Injuries that arise from accidents don’t always appear immediately. Often, the injuries that cause individuals to miss work or face disability will arise much later. If you have not seen a doctor for an evaluation of possible injuries from your accident, never tell your insurance company that you are fine.
Similarly to admitting fault, telling the insurance company that you are “okay” following an accident will ensure that you receive little to no settlement should problems arise in the day to weeks to come. Always seek medical attention before reporting your health to your insurance company.
At Reeder & Nussbaum, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys speaks with victims every day. They know how hard it can be to realize that you have misspoken with your insurance company. To ensure that you receive the financial settlement that you deserve for your accident, you need a winning strategy from the start. Contact the team at Reeder & Nussbaum today. As St. Petersburg’s premier personal injury law firm, we will work with you to achieve the financial outcome that you deserve.