Should I Talk to a Lawyer before Talking to the Insurance Company?

Regardless of how minor your accident may seem, it is advisable to speak with an attorney before speaking with an insurance company. Insurance companies are eager to settle accident claims and do not have your best interest in mind. Most insurance companies do not want to reimburse you for both economic and non-economic damages and instead attempt to minimize your losses or deny liability altogether in some cases.

Consulting with an attorney should be one of the first steps you take after suffering a personal injury in an accident, especially if your case is large and complex or fault is difficult to establish. Our team can help you understand insurance policies, gather the right documents and witness statements, handle communications between the insurance company and the at-fault party’s legal counsel, and present a claim to recover the damages you incurred as a result of their negligence.

What to Do if an Insurance Company Contacts Your before You Speak with an Attorney

A common tactic insurance companies use is contacting an injured person within 24 hours of their accident. They do this to increase their chances of contacting you before you get the chance to speak with an attorney. During these phone calls, they often try to convince people that hiring an attorney is unnecessary and that their claim can be settled easily and swiftly. The insurance company will likely offer you less money than your claim is worth in hopes of achieving a quick settlement.

During this initial contact, the insurance company will ask you for some information about your accident. You should only give them the following information:

• You were involved in an accident
• You contacted the police
• The accident involved property damage
• If applicable, you sustained injuries
• If applicable, you exchanged insurance information with the other party

Any other information could be used to devalue your claim, resulting in an unjust reduction of compensation.

Contact an Experienced Lawyer before Talking to Insurance Companies

Consulting with an attorney before speaking with your or the negligent party’s insurance company can make a substantial difference in your ability to recover the full scope of your accident-related losses. If you were recently harmed due to someone else’s negligence, denied an insurance claim, or need assistance evaluating your legal options, contact Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, to consult with one of our experienced team members today.