Why you should immediately talk to an attorney before you talk to an insurance company after your car accident
When you’re hurt in a car accident, it’s normal to want to believe that the insurance company is on your side. After all, they seem nice on the phone. They always happily accept your premium.
However, talking to the insurance company before you talk to a lawyer can be a big mistake. Insurance companies make their money when they deny good claims. Even though it’s supposed to be their job to investigate the claim fairly, too often, they try to get away with paying you a small amount that doesn’t even begin to represent your damages. Here’s why you should immediately talk to a car accident attorney before you talk to the insurance company:
An attorney can help you present the evidence in a way that’s favorable to you|
The insurance company makes their decision about your payment based on the evidence that’s presented to them. An experienced car accident attorney knows how to best present the insurance company with information about your case. If there are ways to demonstrate how the other side caused the accident or ways to demonstrate the severity of your physical and emotional injuries, your attorney can help you organize this information effectively. Presenting your case in the right way from the beginning helps set the tone with the insurance company in a way that can lead to a fair recovery.
What you say can be used against you
If your case ends up in court, the judge and the parties have to follow the Texas Rules of Civil Evidence. According to those rules, you’re allowed to tell the court what the other side says. In other words, what you say can and will be held against you in a court of law even if it’s a civil court.
However, with your attorney representing you, they handle the negotiations for you. All of the contact with the insurance company goes through your lawyer. You don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing, because your attorney has it covered.
They may not tell you the entire story
There may be critical details that the insurance company doesn’t want you to know. They’re your adversary, and if you’re leaving out things that might boost your claim, you can’t count on them to help you fill in the gaps. When you work with an attorney, your attorney can evaluate what the insurance company says with a critical eye. They may be able to pick up on subtleties with the insurance company in order to help you get a larger recovery.
There are many types of damages
You might be surprised to learn all of the types of damages that may be available to you when you’re the victim of a car accident. Medical bills are only the beginning. There are damages available for lost work, physical suffering and emotional suffering to name a few. An attorney can help you make a claim for all of the different types of damages that you may deserve. They can also help you evaluate any settlement offers to make sure that they represent the full extent of your damages.
Fastest isn’t always best
When you’re hurt in a car accident, you need money now. Insurance company representatives know this. They want you to jump at the first, low offer. You can expect them to do everything that they can in order to make that first offer seem enticing. However, taking the time to present your case in the right way can ultimately result in more dollars in your pocket. An attorney who has fought in the trenches with the insurance companies knows how to weigh all of the factors to help you reach the best possible outcome in your case.
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