You likely already know that when you experience a motor vehicle accident, one of your top priorities before leaving the scene is to report the incident to your insurance company. This starts the accident claim process, but you should be careful about what you say to your insurer during that first phone call.
Dealing with the insurance company can sometimes feel like navigating an obstacle course of negotiations and semantics. It is important to understand how an attorney can help you get through these complicated discussions and secure the compensation you deserve after an accident.
An attorney can help you strengthen your claim
In many accident cases, securing the best outcome can be a matter of proving that you are not at fault for the accident. An attorney can help you gather and compile the evidence in your favor, which might even include police reports and traffic cam footage. Your legal team can then work with you to build a sound strategy for presenting your case to the insurance company or to the court.
Your attorney can help you fight a lowball settlement
One common pitfall of dealing with the insurance company yourself comes in the form of lowball settlement offers. Your insurer might offer to settle for an insultingly low amount if they believe that you will accept it unquestioningly. Your attorney can help you fully understand your insurance policy so you can get the full picture and competently fight for what is yours.
Dealing with the insurance company yourself can lead to accidental admissions of fault or the acceptance of less compensation than you deserve. Involving an attorney in the claims process from an early stage can ensure smooth proceedings all the way through.