Why You Should Wait to Contact the Insurance Company
When you've been involved in a multi-car accident, one of the first things you'll hear is that you need to exchange information with the other driver(s) and contact their insurance company as soon as possible. While this is an important part of the insurance claim process, it may not be the best course of action for crashes that result in serious injury.
Before contacting the other driver's insurance company about your injury, it is always in your best interest to schedule a consultation with an experienced car accident attorney to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Here are three reasons why.
#1. Your Side May Be Misrepresented
If you immediately contact the other party's insurance company following an accident, there is a greater chance that your injuries or involvement may be misrepresented. Depending on the circumstances, you may be largely unaware of:
- The extent of your injuries.
- The extent of your passengers' injuries (if applicable).
- The estimated cost of medical expenses and lost wages.
- The amount of damage to your vehicle.
In many cases, the insurance company will also try to get you to misrepresent your claim by asking guiding questions or telling you to provide a recorded statement. Not only will these be used against you during the claims process, but they also will be a means to undervalue your claim. It is always more beneficial to you to only contact an insurance company with your attorney present or after you have already prepared a statement with them.
#2. Your Claim May Be Undervalued
Similar to what was mentioned previously, when you aren't entirely aware of the extent of your injuries and treatment costs, it is more likely to cause your claim to be undervalued. Working with an attorney can ensure that you receive the necessary medical treatment and can give you a broader scope of your injuries and their more long-term implications. They may also help ensure that you are seeing the best physicians possible.
On the other hand, it's not uncommon for symptoms of internal injuries to appear days or even weeks following a crash. Known as latent car crash injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), chronic whiplash, and the effects of mental health conditions may not be apparent at the scene but can be debilitating if left untreated.
When working with an attorney, be open to discussing the extent of your injuries and how they affect your day-to-day life, including work duties to caring for your loved ones. These factors are often overlooked but need to be accounted for to appropriately assess the compensation needed.
#3. You May Accept an Offer Prematurely
For many injury cases, the first settlement offer that the insurance company gives you is not always the best offer you could receive. This is because, in many cases, insurance providers ultimately want to pay out the minimum compensation possible. When you accept their first offer without considering anything mentioned previously, you may be agreeing to an amount that is significantly less than what you actually need.
A personal injury attorney's goal is to ensure that you get the maximum compensation possible for your case. By agreeing to an offer just to expedite the process, you may be limiting your recovery.
Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers
The attorneys at Kornfeld Law want to help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve following an accident. Our team has recovered over $35 million for our clients and can help you through the process.
Schedule a free consultation today by calling (425) 657-5255 or filling out this short form.