If you have been the victim of an accident, the chances are good that an insurance company representative will be contacting you very quickly. It is also true that, no matter how nice this person seems to be, he or she does not have your best interests at heart.
Insurance companies make money not by paying large claims but by avoiding payments. Sometimes an insurance company can avoid paying a legitimate claim, and when this happens the insurance company benefits. Therefore, no matter how nice an insurance adjustor is to you and how sympathetic that person seems to be, it is wise not to be taken in. The insurance company does not want to pay you any more money than necessary.
What does this mean for you as a victim?
It means that the less you say to any insurance company representative, the better. An innocent remark made by you during this time could come back to haunt you later if you decide to file a suit for damage.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
One problem with talking to an insurance company representative so early in the process of settling your case is that you probably have no idea how bad your injuries may actually be. Whiplash is one type of injury that is notorious for not exhibiting symptoms for the first few days after an accident, then putting the victim into excruciating pain for weeks afterwards. Your doctors need time to examine you, observe the effects of your accident and see the extent of your injuries.
Another problem with settling early is that investigators may not have had time to complete their investigation. It is not unusual for investigators to take several weeks to return a full report on an accident, and at that time you may discover facts about the other driver you did not know that can change the landscape of liability.
Finally, settling quickly gives you no time to talk to a personal injury attorney and find out about the amounts to which you may be entitled as a result of the accident.
The personal injury attorneys at Barber and Associates, LLC in Anchorage are ready to help you when you are the victim of any type of accident. Before you talk to an insurance adjustor, contact these professional attorneys to discuss your case and learn the facts about your rights.