For as long as I can remember, the legal field has always fascinated me. While my friends watched sitcoms and cartoons, I chose to watch courtroom dramas and real life trials unfold. There was never really any question as to what I wanted to be when I got older. The only profession for me was that of a trial lawyer. Unfortunately, a serious car accident several years ago changed all that. Now, my injuries prevent me from leaving my home most days. However, my love for the law has never went away. While I may not be able to realize my dreams of becoming a trail lawyer, I still wish to help people with their legal problems. That is why I decided to start this blog. It is my hope that the information contained in these pages will help other accident victims like me when filing their personal injury claims.
After you get into a car accident and file the accident with your insurance company, the adjuster is often one of the first people you deal with. This is the person that will consider the damage and injuries and decide how much to give you during a settlement. It is important that you know the proper way of dealing with an adjuster in order to get the money you deserve during the settlement.
Don't Give Away Too Much Information
While it is tempting to pour your heart out to an adjuster and tell them absolutely everything about yourself and the accident, this is not the best approach. When you first start communicating with them, only give them the information that is absolutely required. This includes basic personal information like your name and contact info.
When it comes to the accident itself, remember you don't owe the adjuster a statement of what happened during the accident. They can view the police report if needed. Also don't explain too much about your injuries quite yet. You may forget to include something or an injury might worsen after you speak to them. Hold off on this information until it is required for the settlement arrangement.
Gather Your Own Proof and Documentation
After the accident, you should begin gathering your own evidence that will prove you were not at fault and show the severity of damage to your vehicle. You also want to have documentation showing the extent of your injuries. Don't just assume the police report and adjuster's report is enough when it comes to proving the type of damage. You should be taking pictures with a camera or your cell phone at the scene of the accident, including pictures of your vehicle and the other vehicle. Keep copies of all receipts and documentation at the hospital or doctor's office when getting treatment for your injuries. You may need this information if you have to negotiate the settlement.
Negotiate With the Adjuster As Needed
While some first offers from the insurance company are acceptable, it is still common to negotiate an offer. The insurance adjuster might give a low offer in the beginning, but that doesn't mean this is all the insurance company is going to offer you. You have the right to negotiate to try and increase the offer. This is where all your documentation comes in. Work closely with an auto accident attorney to decide how to proceed. You want to increase the price during negotiations to more than what you expect to get. They will offer have their own counter-offer, which is hopefully closer to what you expect to get with the settlement.
Share3 May 2016