A car accident is always an ordeal. After dealing with any medical injuries and making sure everyone involved is safe, you may find yourself in an uphill battle with the insurance company. Within a short time after filing a claim, the insurance company will more than likely reach out to you, whether it is your own insurance provider or the other driver’s. This is a critical time to know the right way to handle the claim because it can set the tone for the rest of the claim process.
Tips for Talking
It is important to be mindful of the information that you initially give to the insurance company. Keeping the conversation simple will help keep your from giving too many specific details. There are many moving parts to the claims process, and if you have never been through it before, it may seem confusing. Here are some other tips that are also important to keep in mind when talking to the insurance company:
- Keep detailed notes. You may have many conversations with different parties involved in the claim. Be sure to keep a log of who you spoke with, when you spoke with them, and the details of your conversation.
- Give limited information. You can give personal identifying information, but keep it limited to your name, address, and phone number. The insurance company may push for details about the accident or your injuries. It is important to be polite and advise the insurance company that you can only discuss the basic facts of the accident – who was involved, when the accident occurred, who the witnesses were – and you will discuss more details at the appropriate time.
- Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents. The insurance company may urge you to give a recorded statement or sign documents. A recorded statement will be kept on record and could later be used against you to prove an inconsistency with your account of the accident. Refrain from signing any documents that give the insurance company permission to your medical records.
- Do not tell the insurance company that you are uninjured. During and immediately after an accident there is a lot of adrenaline coursing through your veins. While you may not feel injured right away, once the adrenaline wears off you may begin to feel pain. Either way, you should seek medical attention immediately after the accident and have any injury documented.
- Do not rush to accept a settlement offer. The insurance company may be quick to offer you a settlement; but, it is always a good idea to hold off on accepting any offer to settle until you have fully diagnosed any injuries and you know how much your claim is worth. Accepting a settlement up front will keep you from being able to recoup any more money in the future.
The single most important piece of advice to take into account when dealing with an insurance company is to retain an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia car accident attorney to help you navigate the claims process. Having an attorney on your side to advocate for you can help ensure that you get the settlement that you deserve.