Car accidents happen every day. Whether you are on the Jersey Turnpike or on your neighborhood street, accidents happen when you least expect them.
What you might not expect is dealing with an insurance company that wants nothing more than to settle your case for far less than what your claim is worth. You should be careful before accepting any settlement offer. The insurance company may take aggressive steps to settle your case quickly and cheaply, the exact opposite of what you want and need. To combat that, you may want to have a legal advocate on your side.
File Your Claim Immediately
Filing your car accident claim with the insurance company is the first step, but make sure you are filing with the right insurance company. If you were not at fault for your accident, do not file a claim with your own insurance company. You need to let your insurance company know you were involved in an accident, but do not ask them to begin a claim.
You should also not give your insurance company a statement without a lawyer present. Your insurance company may not always be looking out for your best interests. You do not want to say something that could be misconstrued as fault. They may use that statement against you and claim you were at least partially responsible for the car accident.
Starting the car accident claim with the insurance company early on will ensure that the insurance company begins their investigation before any evidence goes missing. It also gives you time to collect the evidence you need to prove your claim.
Stay on Top of Medical Care
If you have suffered injuries in your car accident, even minor ones, you may face extensive medical care and treatment. Even though this medical care could become expensive, you should never ignore your doctor’s orders.
Not following through on recommendations from medical professionals could hurt your car accident insurance claim and financial recovery. If the insurance company learns that you have ignored treatment or have failed to adhere to your doctor’s recommendations, the insurance company could argue that you have not mitigated your damages. This means that you have not taken action that would minimize the negative impact of your car accident injuries.
While it is fair to get a second opinion and to ask your doctor questions about the care they recommend, simply ignoring medical advice could reduce the amount of compensation you get. Ultimately, it could result in you having to pay out of pocket for some or all of your medical care.
Do Not Accept the First Offer
When it is clear that the other driver was at-fault in your car accident, their insurance company may call you and offer you a quick settlement. This might excite you because you can pay those costly medical bills, but be cautious. The insurance company is looking out for their own profit, not your best interests. They may even pressure you to take the settlement on the spot, telling you that it is the absolute best offer they can make.
If you do take the initial settlement offer, you will waive your right to bring any future claims against the insurance company for your accident and injuries. This means that months or even years later, when you still have medical bills and other financial losses related to your car accident, you will be out of luck. You cannot go back to the insurance company and ask for more money. You will have to bear the financial burden of any expenses. You can avoid this tragic situation by partnering with a trusted legal advocate.
Hire a Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Hiring a lawyer lets the insurance company know that you are serious, especially when you partner with an experienced legal team with many years of experience. That alone can push the insurance company to offer you a more reasonable settlement that covers all of your needs.
Besides the legal battle, you have medical issues that need to be resolved. Even if you have minor injuries, those injuries could lead to costly medical bills and extensive medical care. That is where you need to place your focus. To give yourself the best chance of making a full and complete recovery, all of your efforts should be going into your physical recovery. Let your legal team worry about the settlement negotiations, collecting evidence to prove you were not at fault.
Mount Laurel Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Office of David S. Rochman Get Optimal Results for Those Injured in Collisions
A car accident creates numerous headaches, from dealing with car repairs to potentially dealing with life-altering injuries, you need support. Our Mount Laurel car accident lawyers at the Law Office of David S. Rochman can help you get back on your feet. Together, we can work to hold the negligent party liable for your accident and your injuries. Call us at 856-751-2345 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.