If you or your loved one has been involved in a car accident, your biggest priority should be recovery. However, even as you recover, medical bills will require your attention. Most car victims are often misguided by the fact that insurance must cover their costs. Getting an insurance company to take care of your bills and damages arising from the accident is not as easy as it may sound. To help make the process of seeking payment from an insurance company easy, you will need the help of an experienced car accident attorney.
After an accident occurs, the insurance company will try as much as possible to discourage hiring an attorney. The intent behind such a malicious act is because they are already aware that with an attorney, you can maximize compensation. Here are some of the ways to protect your injury claim against stingy insurance companies:
- Hire a competent Car Accident Attorney
Most car accident victims are always in a dilemma between hiring an attorney and settling for the offer from the insurance company. The notion that legal representation might give rise to lengthy court battles complicates further the mindset of victims. While forgoing attorney services might appear wise in the first instance, there are various repercussions to such a decision. First, when you approach your insurer without legal representation, they are less likely to take you seriously. Remember that you are dealing with professionals who understand insurance laws and hence can manipulate your benefits. When an insurance company realizes you have counsel, they will take you seriously because they know they are dealing with a professional who already knows their malicious tactics.
In cases of serious injuries resulting from a car accident, you will require the services of an attorney specializing in personal injury claims. Therefore, please do a thorough background check on the attorney to establish their expertise before taking on their services.
- Proceed to a file claim even after the lapse of fourteen days for Personal Injury Protection Benefits
Every accident victim in Texas has a window of fourteen days from when an accident occurs to visit a doctor to establish the injuries sustained and further pursue personal injury benefits. Most accident victims who fail to visit a doctor within the fourteen-day statutory period stand to lose their PIP benefits. However, PIP benefits are not all the benefits you are entitled to because you can still file a negligence claim alleging the fault of another for the accident’s causation. Insurance companies are always hopeful that some clueless victims won’t proceed with a negligence claim. Therefore, you need an attorney on your side to establish other ways of seeking compensation other than PIP. - Consult with an attorney even when the impact is minor
A minor impact on the car doesn’t mean the occupants of the car did not sustain injuries. It is crucial to consult with an accident attorney to establish your legal options. Failure to report an accident and subsequently seek compensation is a loss on your end and a win on the part of the insurance company. - Call your attorney first before calling the insurance company
The moment you reach out to the insurance company, they already start plans on making a fast payment. If you are new in making claims, you might think that the offer from the insurer is what you deserve. Therefore having an attorney is one way of ensuring you have someone acting in your interest. - Consult with your attorney every time you get a call from the insurance company
An insurance company will go the extra mile to ensure you accept their settlement even if the extra mile involves reaching out to you behind your attorneys back. Always consult with your Car Accident Attorney before giving any response.
If you need more information and advice, you can call our law offices today at any of our convenient locations and get a free consultation.
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