Tips for Dealing with an Auto Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in a car crash or motorcycle accident, no doubt you’re trying to figure out how to handle your injury claim. If it’s already been determined by the police that the other driver is at fault, then you are entitled to receive compensation to help pay for your medical bills as well as lost wages and other expenses. But, how should you go about collecting that, and how much should you expect? These are difficult questions that have no firm answers, because much depends on the details of your specific situation. However, regardless of those particulars, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind as you move forward.
Hire a Lawyer
This should go without saying, but unfortunately, it has to be said: in any sort of car crash-related injury compensation scenario, legal services are a good idea. Even if the other insurance company seems to be reasonable and helpful, don’t forget that they are ultimately in business to make money, so they will look for the cheapest possible settlement as quickly as possible. An experienced legal team can help you make sure you’re actually getting what you deserve.
Don’t Sign Anything. Yet.
In any injury claim, whether it’s a car crash, a motorcycle accident, or some other type, the insurance company is most likely going to work to convince you to settle as quickly as possible. Listen to their offer, but do not sign anything. If the insurance company is paying your bills (and they should, if their driver was to blame) then you don’t need to sign anything to get them to pay up. That’s their obligation. However, if you DO sign something prematurely, you run the risk of cutting yourself out of any future moneys you might be entitled to. Sometimes, the effects of a car crash or motorcycle accident aren’t felt for months or years to come. Signing something too early means you might have to deal with those long-term effects, instead of the insurance company, and that’s not right.
Don’t Ignore Your Emotions
In an accident-related injury compensation case, it’s easy to measure physical injuries. They show up on a report, and the hospital gives a dollar amount to get then fixed. Psychological problems are a lot harder to document or prove. Be honest and upfront about the emotions you felt during and after the accident. The terror, the flashbacks, the fear you have now — those are every bit as important as your physical injuries, and should be equally compensated for. However, many clients ignore those feelings, not realizing that they are just as important as the physical effects. Be honest and upfront to yourself, and the claims adjustor as well.
Hopefully, these tips will help as you sort through the aftermath of your accident. Trying to get compensation can be tricky, and the insurance company is going to try and pay you as little as possible. If you’re unsure of the best way to proceed, please contact us today. We will fight to make sure you get everything you are owed.
