• March 13, 2019
• CMZ Law
• no comments

Even minor car accidents can be traumatic. It is not uncommon for victims to be unsure of what to do next after an accident. Insurance companies are often the first contact after an accident, especially if the crash was not your fault. Even though they may seem like a helping hand in a confusing time, the other driver’s insurance company does not have your best interests at heart. Instead, they may try to take advantage of your confusion and manipulate you into saying things you did not mean to settle for far less than what your case is worth.

Dealing with the insurance company after an accident can be tricky. It is often a good idea to let your personal injury attorney talk to the insurance company to avoid any potential that they may try to take advantage of you. Below are a few reasons why.

1. The insurance company is not obligated to be fair or fast-acting.

The other driver’s insurance company only has an obligation to their insurer. They have no responsibilities when it comes to treating you well or addressing your needs. Instead, they may even ignore your needs completely in favor of their insured. Unfortunately, there is virtually nothing stopping an insurance company from doing this. They may offer you a settlement that is far lower than what your case is worth, delay payments, and even deny your claim. It can be difficult to stick up for yourself in these situations.

1. Insurance adjusters negotiate for a living.

Insurance adjusters see cases like yours every day of the week. They know what most cases are worth just by reading the facts. They also know how to negotiate with victims who are not represented by an attorney. Unfortunately, this experience, combined with the desire to pay as little as possible, sometimes means that adjusters will take advantage of victims. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can help even the playing field and help you get the compensation you deserve after an accident.

1. You do not have to use the body shop that the insurance company recommends.

Some insurance companies will try to tell you that you must use a particular body shop to receive compensation for your property damage. In most situations, this simply isn’t the case. In fact, you may want to avoid the shop that the insurance company recommends because they sometimes undervalue your vehicle or provide decreased estimates on how much it will actually cost to get things fixed. If you have a body shop that you like better, it may be a good idea to use them instead.

1. You likely do not want the first settlement offer.

In most situations, the first settlement offer is an opening point. It gets the bargaining process going. However, some victims will take the first offer, so the insurance company may try to low ball you first, just to see if it works. Unfortunately, some victims see mounting medical bills, vehicle repair bills, and time away from work, so they are eager to accept anything the insurance company will give them.

Getting an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine what your case is really worth. He or she will also help you get the most out of your car accident. After all, you were injured, and you deserve to be compensated for your losses. Call CMZ Law for more information.