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When you sustain injuries in a New York car accident, one of your first steps will be to call your auto insurance company. And, if your injuries are particularly severe, you may be filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer, as well. For those reasons, It’s crucial to know how to deal with insurance companies after a car accident so you can protect yourself and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Talk To a Lawyer Right Away After a Crash
The best and easiest way to deal with an insurance company after a car accident is to let a lawyer do the heavy lifting for you. Your attorney can handle all the communication with all the insurance companies involved in your case, gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate fair settlements on your behalf. Not only does letting a lawyer do the hard work make life easier for you, but it also means they can help protect you from inadvertent mistakes that could hurt your claim.
Be Honest About Your Injuries Without Exaggerating
To recover full compensation for your injuries, you must document them all and provide evidence that the other party caused the accident and that your injuries resulted from the crash. While you should be thorough, it’s vital to avoid exaggerating your injuries. Doing so could give an insurance company justification to deny or reduce your claim. An attorney can help you gather evidence of your injuries and describe them accurately without embellishing them.
Never Give a Recorded Statement Without Talking to a Lawyer First
You may have to give a recorded statement about the accident to an insurance company as part of your claim. However, insurers can use a recorded statement against you to reduce your compensation or shift blame for the crash. Always talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement, as they can help you prepare and give you tips to avoid damaging your claim.
Never Accept an Insurance Company’s First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often offer quick settlements after a collision because they know you need the money to pay your medical bills and other expenses. Once you accept a settlement, though, you cannot seek additional compensation if your injuries worsen or you have unexpected expenses. It’s crucial to make sure any settlement you agree to accounts for your current and future losses from a collision, and an attorney can review any settlement offers you receive to make sure they’re fair before you accept one.
Stay Off Social Media Until Your Case Concludes
While you might want to share updates about your case on social media, doing so can hurt your claim. Insurers can use anything you post against you, so it’s best to avoid giving them anything to use. For instance, photos of you with friends or family could make it look like your injuries aren’t as severe as you say, and anything you say about the collision could undercut your narrative of what happened.
Be Patient
Finally, it’s essential to remain patient as the legal process plays out. It can be frustrating when insurance companies drag their feet, or settlement negotiations stretch out for weeks or months, but insurers count on your frustration to make you eager to accept an early, inadequate settlement. Let your legal team protect your rights while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Contact Our Syracuse Car Accident Attorney Now
You can avoid many insurance headaches after a car accident by working with an experienced personal injury lawyer. CDH Law PLLC has spent decades protecting the rights of people injured in car crashes caused by others and can be your champion in your fight for fair compensation. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC represents clients in Syracuse, Central New York, and in the following towns and villages of Onondaga County: Camillus, Cicero, Clay, Dewitt, Elbridge, Geddes, Manlius, Marcellus, Onondaga, Salina, Skaneateles, Baldwinsville, East Syracuse, Fayetteville, Jefferson County, Liverpool, North Syracuse, and Solvay.