Dealing with insurance companies after an accident like a car wreck can be an exercise in frustration. Insurance companies are businesses first and foremost, and their primary purpose is making money. Every claim they pay means less revenue, so they will use any reason they can to avoid paying. These tips can help reduce the chance of claim disputes and protect you from predatory insurance tactics. You can talk to a personal injury attorney for more tips on dealing with insurance companies.
1. Document Everything
Exhaustive documentation is the key to a successful personal injury claim. The more documentation of the accident and proof of injuries you have, the lower the chances of claim denials. Take pictures of the accident scene, get eyewitness statements, and obtain medical documentation concerning your injuries, like imaging results and diagnostic tests.
You should also keep records of all your injury-related expenses and communications with insurance companies. You’ll want a consistent record of everything if insurers try to dispute your expenses or injury severity.
2. Watch What You Say
Just like with criminal cases, anything you say can and will be used against you in a civil injury trial. It is imperative that you avoid saying anything that insurers could use as evidence against you. It’s relatively easy for insurers to twist innocuous statements into admissions of fault and twist your words to deny your injury severity. Avoid talking about your case casually, including making posts on social media.
When talking with the insurance company, be as factual and accurate as possible, and don’t let them make any recorded statements. Once recorded, comments on the record are incredibly hard to remove. Ideally, your attorney should handle all communications between you and insurers to avoid problems.
3. Don’t Accept the First Offer
It’s extremely important that you don’t accept the first offer you receive. Insurance companies may offer an initial settlement very quickly to get you to accept and drop the matter. Before accepting a settlement, the insurers will likely make you sign a release form waiving your right to pursue further compensation. If you take the smaller settlement now and cede your right, you’ll have no options if your injuries worsen or new expenses crop up. It is highly likely that an attorney can negotiate a higher settlement amount.
4. Be Responsive
Depending on your case, the insurance company might ask for additional information to verify your claims. You must respond to these requests for information promptly. Ignoring requests for additional documentation can result in payment delays or claim denials. An attorney can help you gather requested documentation and submit additional forms within the requested time period.
5. Talk to an Attorney
No matter the accident you’ve been in, a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the insurance claims process. Although you don’t legally need an attorney to file a claim, attorneys are highly familiar with insurance company tactics and can protect your rights and interests. They can handle the entire administrative process of filing a claim and even take the case to trial in a formal lawsuit if necessary. You have three years to file civil action in Wisconsin, so don’t delay getting started with an attorney.
Contact the Accident Attorneys at Warshafsky Law Firm Today
Warshafsky Law Firm has an established track record of successful injury claims, including some of the largest awards in Wisconsin history. We are experienced in dealing with insurance companies and can hold them to their payment obligations. We will use every resource available to seek the maximum compensation possible. Contact our offices online or call today to speak to a personal injury attorney in Wisconsin.
