Many victims are not prepared to deal with the other driver's insurer after an accident. You may be barely home from the hospital when the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster catches you off guard. For some tips on dealing with this call, read below.
Why Are They Calling You?
In most cases, the driver that caused the accident is insured, and that is a good thing. Their insurer may make contact with you because they assume you have not had a chance to speak to a personal injury lawyer yet. Their goal is twofold. They want to make you an offer, and they also want to get you on the record. The phone call is recorded and everything you say can be used to determine settlements and more.
They may make you an offer right away if you agree to speak to them. The amount they offer will sound low, and that is because it is low. They hope you will accept the offer so that they can pay you and move on to the next case. They are counting on the fact that you probably don't realize how much you are owed. It's far too early to know that, and they also know that fact.
The recording is another problem. You may still be rattled from the accident and suffering from your injuries. This is no time to give a recorded interview. You may accidentally speculate about your injuries, who was at fault, and other issues that should not be discussed with the insurer. The other driver's insurance company is not on your side. What you say to them could be misconstrued and could damage your case.
Talk to a Lawyer
If you don't yet have a lawyer, most will speak with you at no charge. You can find out about your chances of recovering your damages and how much your case is worth. If you decide to hire a lawyer, they will handle everything with the other insurer. However, don't forget to call your own insurance company and tell them about the accident.
Your lawyer will let the insurance adjuster know about your representation and will handle all communications with them from that point on. They will help you calculate how much you are owed and then let the other side know what you expect to be paid.
Don't be one of those victims that want to get everything over with quickly. They often settle for far too little. Speak to a car accident lawyer to find out more.
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