When you’re involved in an auto accident, you may require medical treatment. You might have serious injuries that need ongoing care, and your life may be completely disrupted.
For victims of auto collisions, life may never be the same. That’s why it’s so important to make a personal injury claim and to seek fair compensation to make you financially whole again. You have a right to ask for compensation, such as coverage for your lost wages or medical expenses. You may also be able to claim for pain and suffering and other damages.
If an insurance agent calls, know your rights
It is typical for the other party’s insurance agency to call you after a serious collision. They may try to talk to you to determine who was at fault or to get “your side of the story.” It’s in your best interests not to talk to the insurance agent about the collision. Instead, you should refer them on to your attorney.
Doing this helps protect you. If you say something that you shouldn’t have or make it seem that you were at fault in any way, then you could hurt your case. Your attorney is less likely to make those errors.
Should you listen to a request to settle?
If the insurance company contacts you because it would like you to consider settling your case, it’s okay to listen. However, you shouldn’t agree to a settlement the first time you hear about it or are made an offer.
Why? Usually, the first settlement offer is not the best settlement offer that can be made. Settling also limits your recovery, which isn’t always a good idea, especially if you don’t yet know the full extent of your injuries or the costs associated with a long-term disability.
Settling may be appropriate in a few situations, but in most, it’s a better idea to wait to see what you need and even to take your case to trial. You don’t want to settle too soon, since it will likely limit your recovery, so remember that you can tell the insurance company to wait. You should be under no pressure to accept a settlement that you’re not comfortable with.