7 Simple Tips to Maximizing Auto Accident Settlements
We hear daily from people who attempt to settle their own claims and call us for our opinion of their “final” settlement offer from the insurance company. More often than not, the offer represents mere “pennies on the dollar” in terms of what should be a fair and full settlement. Unfortunately, at that late stage, there’s little that we can do to correct a series of inadvertent mistakes. Insurance adjustors are trained to exploit these mistakes in order to pay out the lowest settlement possible. Sadly for the injured victim, the result is unpaid bills, untreated medical conditions, and thousands of dollars in lost income. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!
To improve your chances of a full and fair settlement, we strongly recommend you following these 7 SIMPLE TIPS…
TIP 1 – Call the police to the scene of the accident! If an accident occurs, it is always smart to call the police right then. The police dispatcher will send law enforcement officers to the accident and send medical emergency personnel if necessary. The police will investigate the accident and issue a police report, which is critical to helping establishing the facts of the case. Not calling the police is a big mistake…without a police report, it’s difficult to establish the facts when dealing with the insurance company.
TIP 2 – Collect critical evidence! While at the accident scene, be sure to collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses, or others involved in the accident. It is also a good idea to take photographs to document skid marks, vehicle damage and road obstructions. The police may help in this regard, but the responsibility to ensure the evidence is fully gathered should be your top priority.
TIP 3 – Seek immediate medical care! Don’t shrug off that initial soreness and say, “I’ll be better tomorrow.” Oftentimes, injuries to the spine, joints, muscles and ligaments are manifest days or weeks later. That’s why you should always seek immediate medical attention after being involved in an auto accident. In states that have Personal Injury Protection (PIP), the bills for these medical costs are covered (up to a pre-determined maximum) – so take advantage of this benefit and get checked out. This initial visit will help document your injuries related to the accident and begin the necessary medical treatment to ensure a faster recovery.
TIP 4 – Don’t delay! Contact Craig Swapp & Associates right away! Involving an experienced personal injury attorney from the beginning is critical to avoiding the legal mistakes that often sink the best cases. If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t trust the ‘friendly’ insurance adjustor to look out for your best interests. The adjustor is trained in ‘delay and deny” tactics designed to deny you compensation. On the other hand, our attorneys will outline your rights and help guide you in critical legal issues. We will ensure that your case is handled within the time limits determined by law (statute of limitations). We’ll follow your medical treatment to make sure that you are progressing toward recovery. And finally, we’ll work hard to get you a fair and full compensation from the insurance company.
TIP 5 – Don’t miss your doctor’s appointments! Your case can be affected if you miss your regular medical treatments or physical therapy sessions. These gaps in treatment will be exploited by the insurance adjustor to deny you full compensation.
TIP 6 – Don’t talk to the insurance adjustor without a lawyer’s guidance! Many case-killing mistakes can be tied to inadvertent statements made during a recorded statement conducted. Even a simple answer “I’m fine” to “How are you today?” can be used against you. We will help prepare you for recorded statements and prepare you for the traps set by the adjustor’s questions.
TIP 7 – Be reasonable in your expectations! Under the law you have the right to be compensated for the costs related to the accident that was not your fault. This can include medical costs, lost income, and reasonable costs for your pain and suffering during recovery. The size of your settlement is determined by the seriousness of the injuries, length of treatment, permanent disfigurement or physical impairments, and available insurance coverage. For that reason, settlement amounts vary widely. As offers for settlement arrive from the insurance company, your Craig Swapp & Associates attorney will provide you with advice on the fairness of the offer.
