It's not easy pursuing a personal injury claim after a car accident. Insurance companies only make the process even more complex and frustrating. You may think that all you have to do is file a claim and the at-fault driver's insurance company will evaluate your losses and compensate you accordingly. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.
Insurance companies often take advantage of crash victims who aren't aware of their rights. One of the ways they do this is by simply drawing you into a phone conversation. You will likely be called by a representative from the other driver's insurance company after your crash. Be aware that talking to them can hurt your chances of pursuing a successful claim.
Why would I be contacted by the other driver's insurance company?
The other driver's insurance company is looking for one thing: admittance of fault. They often accomplish this by coming across as friendly and helpful. Telephone conversations are also recorded and kept on record.
Believe it or not, you can admit to fault without even realizing it. That's because insurance companies use trick questions to try to get you to provide a statement that can later be used against you.
If the only thing you offer the insurance companies is your silence, they have nothing to use against you. If they have any questions, an experienced car accident attorney can answer on your behalf.
Even if there is proof that negligent or reckless actions of the other driver caused your crash, the evidence doesn't always matter to insurance companies. In a last ditch effort to shift the blame away from the at-fault driver, they may:
- Somehow try to shift the blame onto you
- Claim that nobody was at fault, due to the road conditions or weather
Insurance companies also have a way of trying to convince you that you were at fault. If you even do as much as insinuate that you made the slightest error in judgment, they will likely run with it.
What if the insurance company can't successfully shift the blame?
Let's say that the evidence against the other driver is 100 percent indisputable. The insurance company representing the at-fault driver may be willing to offer up a small settlement in an attempt to close the case.
It's important that you never accept a settlement from an insurance company without first consulting with an attorney. In most cases, the amount of money offered in a settlement is barely enough to pay for medical expenses, wage losses, car damage and other expenses accrued from your crash.
When pursuing a claim, you need an attorney to place a fair and honest value on your damages. One who will advocate for every penny owed to you. This not only includes financial losses caused by the crash, but it also includes future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life.
Contact a Delaware car accident attorney you can trust
If you were injured in a car accident, an attorney at Law Office of Edward C. Gill, P.A. can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our law firm has been helping crash victims and their families in the greater Georgetown area since 1983.
To schedule your free consultation, fill out our contact form online and our legal team will get back to you shortly.