If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to retain an attorney as soon as possible. The insurance company isn’t your friend. Their goal is to collect as much money as possible and hold onto it for as long as possible, paying out as little as possible for claims. They aren’t looking out for your best interests, so you need to act quickly and aggressively to get the compensation you deserve.
Refusing to speak with an insurance company
When you call the insurance company for a car accident, it is important to be polite and avoid making any statements. The insurance company representative is trained to make you feel good by minimizing your claim and enhancing their profitability. Avoid making any statements to the insurance company until you’ve consulted with an attorney. The only exception to this is if you are clearly at fault in the accident. If this happens, you may lose the right to receive compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.
Refusing to sign a release
The insurance company will try to force you to sign a release before discussing your case. This can be detrimental to your claim because the insurance company can use your medical records against you. Instead, call a car accident attorney to discuss your options.
Getting immediate medical attention
Whether your car accident was minor or severe, it’s important to get immediate medical attention after the collision. Even if you don’t feel pain immediately after the crash, minor symptoms may be indicative of an injury. If you don’t report your injuries right away, your injury may worsen over time. Also, by documenting your symptoms as soon as possible, you’ll make it harder for the insurance company to deny that you’re injured.
Filing a lawsuit within three years of the accident
If you are injured in a car accident, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit as soon as possible. Although the statute of limitations in California is two years, you should still file your lawsuit as soon as possible. The sooner you file your lawsuit, the better, as all the details of the accident will be fresh in your mind. You may also find that filing a lawsuit is easier if you have time to prepare for it.
Consultation with an attorney
The first step in a consultation with a car accident attorney is to collect all the relevant information about the accident. Whether the accident was minor or severe, it’s important that you provide as much information as possible. It’s also helpful to have a family member or trusted friend to gather information for you. During a consultation, the attorney will often ask you detailed questions about your injuries and illness. It’s important that you trust the lawyer you meet with and do not hold back any information.
If you need a car accident attorney or lawyers in the Phoenix, AZ metro area contact Gary Phillips Accident Law for help.
