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3 tips to handling your insurance company after an accident

On Behalf of | May 21, 2017 | Personal Injury

It may be hard to think straight in the aftermath of a car accident. Perhaps people were injured or your car was totaled, and now you face enormous bills you did not anticipate. Your insurer is supposed to cover these types of situations, right?

Unfortunately, insurance companies are not looking out for us as much as we might think. In the end, they are trying to make a profit. They do not want to hand out money willingly. You need to be careful how you interact with them and what you do after the accident.

1. Do not let them record your conversation.

If you do end up in a car crash, you will want to report it to your insurance company. You are expected to do this. However, do not consent to a recorded conversation when you call them. If they do not bring it up when you call, ask if you are being recorded and request a private talk. Otherwise, inconsistencies or mistakes in what you say could be evidence against you when you are seeking a claim.

2. Keep medical records and logs.

In all likelihood, you suffered some sort of injury in the crash, even if it was minor. Perhaps you are dealing with pain from whiplash or you have broken bones. Whatever the case, save every medical record you can after visiting the doctor. This is evidence on your side for how much coverage you need.

You should also keep a log of all the ways that your injury has impacted your daily life. For example, maybe your injury causes you pain when perform your job duties or tasks around the house. Write these down. The more information you have, the better.

3. Do not accept their first offer.

Usually, your insurance company will try to offer you a settlement quickly. It may be tempting to take it if you are under financial stress from the accident. However, they are probably offering far less than you need. Especially since car accident injuries appear over time, you may not know the scope of medical attention you will need yet. Instead, consult an attorney about your situation to get a better sense of a reasonable offer and how you should proceed from here.

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