Five Things That Can Hurt Your Auto Accident Injury Claim
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
One of the most important things that auto accident victims need to understand is that the insurance companies are not on your side. They are a corporation designed to make profits. When they pay claims, that cuts into those profits. So they will look for any tiny thing that can help them get out of paying. If you’re in a car accident, it’s imperative that you know how to protect yourself from the insurance companies. That includes what not to do after an accident. Here is a list of five things that could hurt your accident claim that you should always avoid.Not Filing A Police Report
The police are seen by the courts as a neutral, knowledgeable party. They often cite the police report for evidence of the details of the accident. People often don’t want to call the police after an accident, especially if it isn’t an emergency. However, it is crucial that you always call the police and file an accident report. If you do not call the police, the insurance companies will use that as a way to deny or diminish the value of your auto accident claim.
Not Seeing A Medical Professional Immediately
One of the most important things anyone can do after an accident is see a physician. Even if your accident was minor and you think nothing is wrong, you should still see a physician. There are some severe injuries like back injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and soft tissue injuries that can take days and even weeks to show symptoms. Going to the doctor right away not only will help you get a diagnosis for any injury with delayed symptoms, but it is a crucial piece of evidence.
Insurance companies and the courts look at the timeline of injuries. If you get diagnosed with an issue immediately after an accident, it directly connects the injuries to the accident. If you wait, the insurance company can argue that if you were really in pain that you would have seen a doctor sooner. They may even argue that you are lying, otherwise why didn’t you see a doctor immediately?
Not Following Doctor’s Orders
It’s important that you follow all the recommendations of your physician. This doesn’t just support your health and healing, it will ensure you get the full value of your claim. If you discontinue your medical care, the insurance company will argue that you weren’t really injured. If you were, you would have followed doctors orders. They can also say that the injuries you incurred were worsened by not following doctor’s orders and pay you less than what your claim is worth.
Accidentally Admitting To Fault
When you call your insurance company to report the accident, be very careful with what you say. Everything you say will be recorded and potentially weaponized against you. When you call, be very careful to only stick to the facts. Tell them what happened and who was involved but do not say anything about who is at fault for the accident. You don’t want them using your own words against you down the line.
Accepting The First Settlement Offer
Finally, you never want to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance companies. Insurance companies know that auto accident victims are under a lot of pressure to pay their piling bills. So as a result, they will try to undercut the value of your claim hoping that you will take it out of financial desperation. The first offer is always lower than what your claim is worth. Never accept it.
Avoiding these five things will help you get the compensation you deserve. For more advice, make sure to hire a qualified personal injury attorney. Michael Babboni, the St. Pete’s Lawyer can help. With nearly 30 years of defending auto accident injury victims. He knows exactly what to do to ensure you get the full value of your compensation.