Know The Tactics Insurance Companies Use When Evaluating Your Claim

After an accident, one of the first things that you will often do, if no one is seriously injured and in need of immediate medical care, is exchange insurance information with the other driver. The insurance coverage that each motorist has will be a crucial factor in determining the amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive.

It is important to understand how insurance companies operate after an accident. The most critical thing to remember about insurance companies is that they are going to be most concerned with protecting their bottom line. Your needs and concerns come second, and if you do not know how to get the compensation you deserve for those needs and concerns, you may end up making a significant mistake with your claim.

At The Law Offices of Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our lawyers have handled many motor vehicle accident cases in Virginia. We wanted to provide you with some very general information regarding insurance companies and how they operate regarding accident claims. For more detailed information about your case, reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation.

Should I Talk To Insurance Companies After My Accident?

You definitely need to inform your insurer of a crash but be very careful about any other information that you provide to them. The reason being: Everything that you say is going to be used when evaluating your claim. If you say something that seems harmless, it can have a major impact upon how the insurer determines what sort of compensation should be offered.

If you have an attorney, the insurance company must go through your attorney in these discussions. This is helpful, because not only will it allow you to focus on your health, but it also protects your claim. Your attorney will know what your case is worth and can stand up for you in conversations with insurers throughout the entirety of the case.

Should I Settle?

Many people simply take the offer that their insurance company makes and move on with their lives. We would caution against that, because there are going to be circumstances where you make a decision that ultimately ends up causing you significant financial harm.

Before you make any decisions, consult an experienced attorney. At our firm, we offer free consultations to people injured in accidents. We can discuss what we feel your claim is worth, and what we can do on your behalf to help you get the compensation you truly deserve.

What About My Own Insurance Company?

You may have been with your insurance company for decades. You might be best friends with your insurance agent. You may feel that the relationship you have is perfect and that they have never ever let you down in the past.

It is great to feel like you have a partnership with your insurance company, but you need to know that once an accident happens, this relationship can change dramatically. The insurance company is looking at the dollars and cents of an accident, and how much this crash could cost potentially cost them. What can they do to make this go away for as little money as possible.

Your own insurance company is not your advocate in an accident case. No matter how friendly they may seem, they are concerned with their interests. You need to have someone on your side who is dedicated to helping you maximize your recovery.

What If The Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

Your insurance policy may provide you with uninsured motorist coverage. We can review your policy and explain the potential avenues for compensation that may be available to you. These cases can be very difficult, and it is important to talk to a lawyer before you accept an offer from your insurer or from an opposing party. Agreeing to an offer will, in most cases, prevent you from being able to recover any additional compensation if damages and expenses exceed the amount provided to you.

Want To Know If You Have A Case?

We know that you may have many more questions about the specifics of your claim, and we will be happy to help you understand your options. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we deal with these exact issues every single day. To schedule a free consultation, call 703-659-1961 or send us an email to find a time that works for you.