Being involved in an automobile accident can be a traumatizing experience. The last thing you want to worry about is the prospect of arguing with an insurance company or dealing with an aggressive claims adjuster. This added stress can be terrible for your recuperation. Still, no matter how frustrating this kind of situation may seem, dealing with an insurance adjuster is a vital part of accessing damages, filing claims, and other key recovery processes.
Bearing that in mind, there are a few things that you can do to make these processes less stressful. For one thing, you can read the following tips on dealing with an insurance claims adjuster after your automobile accident in Colorado. Additionally, having a skilled attorney on your side can be incredibly helpful. With an experienced accident attorney assisting you, filing claims and speaking with insurance agencies is far easier.
For a free legal consultation, call 303-777-1000
Tell us about your case
Were You Injured in a Colorado Automobile Accident? Our Group is Here for You!
Were you wrongfully injured in an automobile accident in Colorado? If you were, our skilled personal injury lawyers are here to help you deal with insurance adjusters, file claims, and take your case to court if need be. With many years of experience assisting injured individuals such as yourself and helping victims recover damages, we know what it takes to navigate Colorado’s legal systems. When you work with our group or attorneys, we will work hard to ensure that you are able to get the justice you deserve.
For a free automobile accident consultation in Colorado, we encourage you to call us at 720-464-3600. You can also follow this link and fill out a convenient client consultation form online at any time of the day or night. Then, a member of our team will get in touch with you right away. We have compassion for your suffering and want to see that victims are able to get everything they are entitled to. So, call us and let us go to work on your behalf today!
What to Know About Insurance Claims Adjusters in Colorado
Unfortunately, it seems that many large companies are more interested in protecting their investments than they are in helping an individual who has been injured. Sadly, it is possible that insurance claims adjusters could attempt to persuade injured victims into settling for less than they are really entitled to. Sometimes, companies may even attempt to talk people into accepting a smaller settlement than what they truly need to pay for their losses and damages after an automobile accident.
Because of this, you should proceed with extreme caution when speaking with a professional agent over the phone, in person, or even if you have thought about posting about your accident on social media. Your attorney will be able to advise you on how best to proceed if you are in a claims battle with an insurance company.
Only with the experienced guidance of a skilled personal injury lawyer can the complete details of your unique claims case be evaluated and dealt with accordingly. Still, understanding how the general process works can be helpful. With that in mind, here are nine tips that can help you feel more prepared to take on this aspect of your auto accident case.
Tip 1: Be careful about what is being recorded, less is more.
Your statements can be written down, recorded over the phone, or repeated by insurance adjusters who listen to what you had to say in person. Be careful when giving any kind of recorded statement. Sometimes, insurance companies will claim that recording your statement is routine. Well, there is a good reason for this!
In some scenarios, companies will use the victim’s own statements against them to attempt to minimize the amount of recovery they will be granted. For some fortunate people, recorded statements don’t cause issues or reduce their final settlement size. However, saying too much can rarely help your case. So, proceed with caution and speak with your attorney before doing anything that could be recorded and used against you. When it comes to talking about your accident, less is more.
Tip 2: Pay attention to any potential double meanings behind questions.
What are the extent of your injuries and what is their nature? This question sounds harmless. However, when it is presented to you by an insurance claims adjuster, it may not be as harmless as it seems. Do not give a detailed account of your injuries or speak about their nature.
The reason for this is you could forget to include something important. Your injuries may be worse than what you initially realize. Additional injuries could present themselves over the course of time. More expenses could arise in the future.
Instead of telling a claims adjuster about your injuries, say that you are still treating them. Then, decline to make any further comments. You have a right to do this! You can even direct the claims adjuster to speak with your attorney if they have any further questions.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Tell us about your case
Tip 3: Think long and hard before deciding how to file claims.
Sometimes, it may seem easier to use your own collision coverage to pay for your damages. This can be a simpler route when compared to pursuing a property damage claim from the party that is at fault for the accident. However, while things can seem straightforward, it may be smart to think things over and talk to a lawyer first.
For one thing, you may be stuck with the bill of your deductible if you pick the wrong carrier.
Although your carrier will repair your vehicle immediately and ask questions later on down the road, you could wind up paying more. You can get back to driving faster, but on the downside, you are likely to be held responsible to pay your collision deductible upfront.
Assuming that you were not at fault for the accident, if you file with the at-fault party’s carrier, then, your carrier can recover your deductible and reimburse you. An alternative is to wait for the at-fault carrier to speak with all witnesses and make a conclusion about their findings. When they are in a position to accept your claim, you can then recover damages.
Tip 4: Don’t give any statements unless your attorney is present.
This is an easy one. Don’t speak with anybody on the record unless you have an attorney representing me. Your attorney will advise you on what to say to protect your interests and get the best settlement possible for your unique situation.
303-777-1000
Matlin Injury Law can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Tip 5: It may not always be smart to accept the first settlement that is offered.
Many people make the mistake of settling too quickly. Sometimes, people assume they’re never going to recover all of the damages they need to cover the cost of their injuries. So, they end up agreeing to a smaller settlement than what they actually need.
However, this assumption could be wrong. Not only could you actually receive the full amount you need, but your injuries might heal in ways that you are not expecting. If you end up having chronic issues, you may need a larger settlement than you initially realized as well.
There’s a good chance that you have already been through a lot and paid many medical bills out of pocket. You should not have to pay for all of this yourself! Therefore, it is unwise to make the mistake of settling too quickly. Be patient and heed the advice of your personal injury claims attorney. Then, agree to a settlement that actually covers your expenses and helps you get your life back on track.
Tip 6: Let your attorney handle the technicalities.
If you hire a personal injury attorney, it is their job to speak with claims adjusters, not yours. Attorneys, not clients, should provide adjusters with everything they want to calculate the proper valuation of a claim. Clients should not file on their own because they put themselves at risk of being tricked by companies or saying the wrong thing.
Skilled personal injury attorneys know how claims cases are actually valued. They will be able to confidently provide claims adjusters with the proper opinions, medical records, causation statements, wage loss information, care plan valuations, vocational reports of economic loss, and more.
Tip 7: File a police report, especially when you are not at fault.
Always call the police if you are in a car accident, even if it is a small fender-bender. Also, be sure to call the police if the accident was not your fault. Not only does this help to create documentation of the crash, but it helps your attorney obtain necessary information later.
Tip 8: Know what to expect from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Don’t be surprised if the insurance claims adjuster for the at-fault party is not eager to please you. They have no incentive to make you happy. Their loyalty to their employer, and sometimes, to the client you are filing claims against. If the at-fault party’s claims adjuster is warm and friendly, be equally cautious.
Tip 9: Hire a lawyer right away.
Although dealing with insurance agents and claims adjusters after an accident can feel like a daunting process, with help, you can ensure everything goes smoothly. That is one more reason that having an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner can be incredibly beneficial. The sooner an attorney is helping you, the better.
Need Help? Call Our Skilled Auto Accident Injury and Claims Attorneys Now
If you were injured in an automobile accident near Parker, Littleton, Englewood, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Monument, or any other surrounding cities, call us today. At Matlin Injury Law, we will quickly set you up with a free personal injury case consultation. From there, if we find that your case is a good match for our services, we will go to bat for you against any insurance claims adjusters attempting to pay you less than you deserve.
Our lawyers are here for you at every stage of the claims process. Even if your case needs to go to trial, we can help. Don’t let large companies take advantage of you or push you into settling for less than what you are entitled to by law. Contact Matlin Injury Law today and let us help you every step of the way!
Reach Out to Experienced Colorado Car Accident Lawyers Who Can Help You Speak with Insurance Companies By Calling (720) 464-3600 Now!
Call or text 303-777-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Tell us about your case
