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Getting into a car accident can lead to a long and complicated recovery process. Despite assurances by insurance companies to protect clients and be there for them in the event of automobile accidents, the reality is much different. Insurance companies are notorious for taking advantage of clients and putting their bottom lines first. Use these tips to successfully deal with an insurance company after your automobile accident in Arizona. For additional assistance, speak to a car accident attorney in Scottsdale.
Insurance companies operate as for-profit businesses. Like any company, insurance corporations want to protect their profits. They do so by minimizing the payouts given to policyholders and claimants. Keep this in mind during conversations and negotiations with an insurance company or the representative assigned to your case, known as the insurance claims adjuster. The adjuster is not on your side and is not your friend, regardless of how friendly he or she sounds on the phone.
The insurance adjuster is in charge of analyzing your case and recommending to the insurance company whether to reject or accept your claim. The adjuster’s main goal is to save the insurance company as much money as possible. During conversations with an adjuster, keep answers to questions short and simple. Don’t give the adjuster more information than is necessary. If you don’t have the answer to a question, simply say that you don’t know.
Even if you believe that you might have contributed to the car accident, do not say so to an insurance company. Don’t admit fault for the crash, confess to having been distracted at the time of the accident, say that you weren’t wearing a seat belt or apologize for the accident in any way. All of these things can be used against you to deny coverage, even if an investigation later finds that you actually were not at fault for the collision.
During a phone call with an insurance claims adjuster, he or she may ask you to give a recorded statement about the accident and/or your injuries. Politely decline to do so and explain that you will be submitting a written statement later, instead. The recorded statement is often an attempt to put a claimant on the spot and get him or her to say something that can be twisted around later. For example, if you haven’t been to a hospital for your car accident injuries at the time of your first conversation, you may give inaccurate information about your injuries in a recorded statement – and then the statement will be used against you to avoid a payout later.
In many cases, the first settlement offered by a car insurance company is low. It is their attempt to resolve the claim for as little as possible, knowing that most claimants will assume the offer is fair and accept it without getting a second opinion. Don’t accept the first settlement offer and don’t sign anything sent to you from the insurance company. Once a release of liability waiver is signed, you cannot reopen your claim or negotiate for a higher amount. Bring the settlement offer to a car accident attorney in Arizona for a review and advice that you can trust.
The sooner you hire an attorney after a car accident, the better. An attorney can take over conversations and negotiations with an insurance company and its claims adjuster for you from the very beginning. An insurance company will not be able to take advantage of you if you’re represented by a lawyer. Your Scottsdale personal injury lawyer will be dedicated to protecting your rights and achieving a fair case resolution.
Your lawyer will use aggressive negotiation strategies to pursue maximum financial compensation for your car accident claim. If the insurance company treats you unfairly, wrongfully rejects your claim or offers significantly less than you deserve, your lawyer can take your case to court. For more information about dealing with an insurance company after an automobile accident in Arizona, contact Stone Rose Law for a free case review with an attorney.