You’re probably familiar with the steps you should take after an auto accident occurs.
Get to a safe location off the road, call the police and an ambulance, document the scene as well as your injuries, and get the contact information of anyone else involved, including witnesses. These steps can help you build a case when filing a claim later.
But should you speak to a lawyer before the other driver’s insurance company? In this blog post, the experienced injury attorneys at Prim Law explain why speaking to a lawyer before the insurance agency is in your best interests.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a vehicle accident in West Virginia, don’t hesitate to call Prim Law at 304-201-2425 or contact us online.
You’re not required to speak with the insurance company
First and foremost, you’re not legally required to speak with the other driver’s insurance company after an accident. It doesn’t matter if the accident was your fault or the other driver’s.
You should keep this in mind if the other driver’s insurance company representative tries to contact you before you’ve talked to a lawyer.
However, you should report the car accident or motorcycle accident to your own insurance provider as soon as you can following the accident. Stick to the facts when you speak to your own insurer, and be honest and accurate.
A lawyer can handle all communication
No matter how friendly and caring an insurance company seems, remember that they’re not really on your side. You often see insurance companies portrayed as warm and neighborly in commercials, but don’t forget that it’s due to clever insurance marketing strategies.
Their job is to minimize the value of your claim, which minimizes how much they’ll pay out. That’s why you have to be very careful of what you say when speaking to the other party’s insurance company.
When you hire a lawyer before you talk to the insurance company, you can let them do all the talking for you.
Personal injury lawyers know how insurance companies ask for information, and they’ll know exactly what to say — and what not to say — when speaking with them. Your lawyer can even provide your statement to the insurance company on your behalf if you prefer.
A lawyer can give you legal advice
Of course, your lawyer can give you legal advice throughout the aftermath of your accident. They can take over communications with the other insurance company, help you collect evidence and information from the accident, and keep detailed medical records of your care for your personal injury claim.
Filing claims can be complicated and overwhelming; a lawyer can guide you through the process.
Remember that your lawyer is on your side. Their goal is to win your personal injury claim for you and defend your legal rights. The goal of the other driver’s insurance company is to pay as little as possible to compensate you for the accident.
A lawyer can help you recover compensation
Without a lawyer, the other party’s insurance company may try to get you to accept a lowball offer, drag out the settlement process, or make you jump through a lot of hoops to get compensated. A lawyer will help you fight the insurance company for your compensation.
Your lawyer has your best interests at heart, and they’ll fight to win you the compensation you deserve for any injuries, damage, or pain and suffering from the accident.
Speak to a West Virginia personal injury attorney today
Protect your legal rights and receive a settlement that you’re happy with by working with an attorney after an accident. You don’t have to fight insurance companies on your own — a lawyer can take care of all communication, negotiation, and the claims process for you.
Call our team of experienced, trusted personal injury attorneys at Prim Law at 304-201-2425 if you or a loved one has been involved in a vehicle accident in West Virginia. You may also contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an attorney, and follow the Prim Law Facebook page for updates.
