Be Prepared For The Aftermath: 4 Things You Shouldn't Do After A Car Accident
You never know when you're going to be involved in a car accident. But, when you are, you want to make sure that you don't make any mistakes. Just about everything you do after a car accident can have an effect on your insurance settlement, this is especially true where mistakes are concerned. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to know which actions are going to result in a costly mistake.
Don't Take the Quick Cash
When you're involved in a car accident, and you're faced with mounting bills, it can be tempting to take the quick settlement. Unfortunately, insurance companies understand that temptation. In fact, they're banking on it. That's why most insurance companies will offer the quick-cash settlement. Some insurance companies will offer quick-cash settlements before accident victims have even had the chance to have their damages assessed, or their injuries checked out by a doctor. If the insurance company tries to offer you a quick-cash settlement, resist the temptation to accept. Instead, wait until you've had time to get your car inspected, and you've recovered from your injuries.
Don't Talk to the Other Driver
You might have traded contact information with the other driver, but that doesn't mean you should share conversations after the accident. In fact, the last thing you should do after an accident is share conversations with the other driver. You never know when your conversations might be recorded. Unfortunately, once they're recorded, the other driver could try to use your words against you. If the other driver tries to make contact with you, let them know that they should contact your insurance company instead.
Don't Talk to the Insurance Adjuster
If the insurance company sends an adjuster out to speak to you, watch what you say during the interview. Like the other driver, the adjuster could be trying to get you to say something that could jeopardize your claim. The best way to handle insurance adjusters is to hire your own public insurance adjuster. They have the experience it takes to deal with insurance adjusters. Best of all, they'll be working to protect your interest.
Don't Give Up Your Right to Counsel
Finally, if you're in a car accident, don't give up your right to legal counsel. If you weren't responsible for the accident, you might not think you need an attorney. But, that's not the case. Hiring an attorney is even more important when you're the victim of a car accident. In fact, your car accident attorney will handle all communication regarding your insurance claim, which means you won't need to worry about insurance adjusters, or unfair settlement offers. Find a car wreck lawyer for help today.