Five Tips for Talking to Your Insurance Company
Car Accident Lawyer Washington DC
Insurance companies aren’t concerned with paying you the money you deserve after you’ve been injured in a tragic accident; enlisting the aid of a car accident lawyer Washington DC residents have trusted for many years is the only way that your rights will be protected. With this in mind, we’ve come up with a list of five very important tips for talking to your insurance company after an accident:
Tip #1: Don’t Give a Recorded Statement
A recorded statement — or, a statement of any kind — can be used against you in a court of law. For this reason, you should never give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even if they insist that doing so is “routine,” because you can jeopardize your rights without even realizing it. It is only in the presence of a car accident lawyer Washington DC is proud to have fighting for its community that you should give any kind of recorded statement. In this way, you ensure that your rights are protected.
Tip #2: Don’t Admit Fault
An experienced DC car accident lawyer will be the first one to tell you that, when you speak to your insurance company right after the accident happens, you should avoid discussions of fault. If you must talk to you insurance company without the help of counsel, be sure that you only relay the facts of the accident or incident. Personal anecdotes or analysis of the facts can be misconstrued and misused against your claim.
Tip #3: Don’t Settle Right Away
As was mentioned earlier, the insurance company’s job is to protect their bottom line. For this reason, their first offer is generally lower than what your claim deserves. While it may be tempting to accept such a low settlement, especially if you’ve been without a paycheck for a while and the medical bills are piling up, you need the representation of the type of experienced car accident lawyer Washington DC residents look to for solid legal advice.
Tip #4: Don’t Sign Medical Authorization Forms Without Counsel
Thanks to the new HIPPA laws, the only time the opposing party’s insurance company can get any medical information from you is if you sign their provided medical authorization forms. While the insurance company may be entitled to review your medical history should your file a claim, regulations around medical information can be complex. It is best to contact a car accident lawyer Washington DC trusts before you sign anything.
Tip #5: Don’t Discuss Your Case
Sharing details and information about your case before you’ve talked to you attorney may be damaging to your ability to recoup damages if your information is misconstrued by the wrong person. You shouldn’t openly discuss any factors of your case prior to talking to your attorney.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, talk to a car accident lawyer Washington DC relies on to get results — they may be your best chance at getting the compensation you deserve.
Thanks to our friend and car accident attorney, Michael Borneo of Rispoli & Borneo, P.C., for his insight into talking to your insurance company after an accident.