If you’ve been injured in an accident and notified an insurance company, you must be careful what you say and do. You are now embroiled in a San Antonio personal injury legal claim, so even if you’re dealing with your own insurance company, you are in an adversarial position. The insurance company wants to minimize the amount of compensation you recover, while you want to maximize it. Here are some tips on dealing with the insurance company in a way that protects your legal interests.
Know That the Insurance Adjuster Is Not Your Friend
Insurance adjusters may seem nice and caring. However, you must keep in mind that they work for the insurance company. They are there to represent the insurance company’s interests, not yours. This reality can help you see the situation clearly and inform you throughout your interactions with them. What you say to the insurance adjuster can have a significant impact on your case, so be careful.
Do Not Agree to a Recorded Statement
You are under no obligation to give a recorded statement to someone else’s insurance company. Even if the insurance adjuster claims the request is customary or is used to help expedite your claim, avoid giving a recorded statement. These statements are only used to benefit the insurance company, such as finding ways to blame you for the accident, deny your claim, or devalue it.
Don’t Admit Fault
Even if you think you might have contributed somewhat to the accident, you don’t know all the facts. For example, the other driver could have been drunk. Texas follows a comparative fault system, so if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, the insurance company can deny your claim. Even if your claim isn’t fully denied, the insurance company could reduce the value of your claim by the amount of fault it attributes to you.
Don’t Sign Medical Release Forms
The insurance adjuster may say that they are trying to help you by requesting your medical records. After all, they will need them to process your claim. However, this is usually an attempt to unearth old medical records to find a pre-existing condition to blame your current injuries on. Refuse to sign such forms. Allow your personal injury lawyer to funnel the information they want to share with the insurance company.
Stick to the Facts
When you’re reporting the accident and dealing with the insurance company, stick to the facts. This means:
- Avoid guessing, such as trying to estimate the speed you were traveling if you don’t know
- Avoid giving opinions, such as speculating on who was at fault
- Don’t give more information than necessary
Don’t Accept a Settlement Offer Without Legal Representation
Once you accept a settlement, you cannot generally pursue further compensation, so it’s critical that any settlement fairly compensate you for the full extent of your losses. An experienced San Antonio pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate any settlement offers and determine if they are fair.
Contact Us for Help Dealing with the Insurance Company
You don’t have to go through the process of preparing your insurance claim alone. The compassionate legal team at George Salinas Injury Lawyers is here to help you. Contact us today for a free case review.