After A Car Accident, Should You Talk To A Lawyer First Before Talking To The Insurance Company?
No driver wants to think about getting into a car accident. But the truth is that car accidents are quite common. According to the FLHSMV, in 2022, there were over 388,000 traffic crashes in Florida. Because of how common car accidents are, it is crucial that you are aware of what you should do after a collision. What you do after a car accident can either help your claim for compensation or harm it. For instance, you need to know whether you should talk to a lawyer before talking to the insurance company after a car accident.
So, should you speak to an attorney before speaking to the insurance company after a car accident? There are a lot of dangers that come with talking to the insurance company before talking to a lawyer, so it is best to speak to a car accident lawyer before talking to the insurance company. Whether it is your insurance company or an at-fault party’s insurance company, the wisest thing to do after a car accident is to speak to an attorney first and let them guide you on how to proceed.
Dangers of Talking to the Insurance Company Before Talking to an Attorney
Some car accident victims reach out to the insurance company, and in other cases, the insurance company reaches out to the victim. After a car accident, it is best that you avoid contacting the insurance company before contacting an attorney. And if an insurance adjuster reaches out to you first, you should avoid providing any information to them before you speak to an attorney. You might think that because it is your insurance company, it is okay to talk to the insurance adjuster before talking to an attorney. But the reality is that all insurance companies, including your insurance company, have one goal: to pay victims as little as possible. This is how insurance companies make profits.
One of the main dangers of talking to the insurance company before talking to an attorney is that you may give a statement that ends up being used against you. After your accident, you may be shaken up. You may feel upset or confused. All this can make it quite easy for you to provide the insurance company with a statement that might be used against you. Your statement could be used to devalue your claim or deny you compensation.
You may also not understand the severity of your injuries. If you tell the insurance company you feel okay, and then it turns out you suffered a severe injury in your accident, your initial statement may be used against you.
An attorney can advise you on what you should and should not say to the insurance company. An attorney can even talk to the insurance company on your behalf. Additionally, an attorney can help build a strong compensation claim for you.
Legal Help Is Available
At The Pendas Law Firm, our Orlando personal injury attorneys are committed to helping car accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. With years of experience advocating on behalf of clients, we know how to build a strong case and protect victims from insurance companies.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Ocala, Daytona Beach, and Bradenton areas.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
