How to Handle Auto Insurance Companies After a Car Wreck
Have you been in a serious car accident and are in need of funding to cover the costs of auto repairs or medical bills? How do you go about dealing with the insurance company? You might think it’s as simple as calling in and explaining your situation to make a claim, but you’d be surprised how little that can get you.
The people running and working for insurance companies are obligated to protect the assets of their enterprise. Their job is to pay out as little as possible in insurance claims to keep a profit for themselves. It’s an effective business model for insurance companies. Still, it lines the owners’ pockets at the expense of legitimate car accident victims relying on these companies for help in their time of need.
Luckily, there is a smart way to handle insurance claims without running the risk of getting stiffed by the company. Read on to learn more about what you should do in the aftermath of an automobile accident.
Will An Attorney Deal With the Insurance Company After a Wreck?
So, what’s the best way to deal with a car insurance company when you’ve been in an accident and need to make a claim? Well, it is in your best interest to simply let your attorney handle this process for you.
Automobile accident attorneys are familiar with the nefarious tactics that car insurance companies use to protect their profits. They know how to navigate these situations to get the most for their clients. While the victim of an accident may not know what to expect from the situation and walk into a trap unaware, an experienced lawyer will know exactly what to do to help their client get as much as possible for their claim.
How Insurance Companies Practice Deceit
Insurance companies have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves to save themselves money at the expense of their clients’ well-being. Many providers have been known to force repair shops to cut corners by using cheap materials and unsafe methods to save them money on their clients’ claims, thus putting their safety at risk.
Additionally, major providers Allstate and State Farm were exposed in 2007 for pressuring clients into dropping claims by being deliberately misleading about their rights in post-accident situations. These are just two of many prominent tactics that devalue insurance companies’ service and earn them money by working against their clients’ best interests.
You Are Not Obligated to Speak to the Insurance Representative
After you’ve been in an accident, it’s possible that a representative from your auto insurance company will reach out to you to ask if you’re interested in making a claim. Even if they pressure you into responding, remember that you are under no obligation to speak to them yourself in order to make a claim. In this situation, you should refuse to give the representative any information and ask them to speak to your attorney. Better yet, instruct your lawyer to make a claim on your behalf.
Reasons to Avoid Direct Communication
Anything you say to your insurance representative about your case can be used against you as a reason to deny your claim. The representative will be looking out for specific verbiage that they can deliberately misinterpret in order to frame a client as at fault or otherwise find a reason not to pay out their claim. An attorney, however, will know precisely what to say to avoid falling into any traps and invalidating the claim by mistake.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
If your insurance company presents you with a very low settlement offer in a surprisingly short period of time, this should be regarded with suspicion. More than likely, the representative is trying to trick you into accepting a small sum while keeping you in the dark about the actual amount you’re entitled to.
Additionally, be wary of providers that ask for your medical history. They may be planning to use this information against you when you try to make a claim in the future.
If You Were Injured in a Car Wreck Call West Houston Injury Attorney Joe Stephens Now
If you’ve been injured by the negligence of another, you could hire any auto accident attorney in Katy, or you can hire a West Houston lawyer that specializes in automobile crash litigation. Joe Stephens has been defending injury victims in Texas for over 3 decades from negligent individuals, companies, and greedy insurance companies. As a top rated car accident law firm in Katy, TX, Joe handles all cases personally, and his staff is always available to answer questions.
Our skilled attorneys at the Stephens Law Firm understand how difficult it is to recover in the aftermath of a terrible automobile accident. That’s why we’re here to help, so you never have to go through it alone. When you’re ready to seek legal representation, call our offices for a consultation.
The Stephens Law Firm, Car Accident Lawyers handles auto accident lawsuits across Texas, including these Houston cities.