Auto Accident Attorney Services: Playing Chicken With Insurance Companies

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When you're involved in an auto accident you want to get your life back to normal as fast as possible. From getting your car fixed or replaced to recovering from any injuries, the process can feel daunting. Auto accident attorney services can help you leverage your resources to get more from the insurance companies involved in your case. They can help guide you through a process that can seem overwhelming.

More Than Damages

Covering the damage to your car and any medical issues that stem from your case are pretty obvious. However, you the right to ask your insurance company and/or the other party's insurance company to cover far more than just your medical and auto bills.

1. Lost Wages: Did your auto accident cause you to miss work? This might mean lost days or weeks, or it can also mean reduced or interrupted hours. For instance, if you're required to meet with your attorney, doctor, physical therapist, auto mechanic, insurance adjuster, or anyone associated with your case during working hours, your insurance can cover your lost wages.
2. Quality of Life: If your auto accident has caused you to alter your normal quality of life, you're entitled to seek damages. When arguing for quality of life claim adjustments you should aim to be specific. For instance, if the auto accident permanently or temporarily made it impossible to enjoy your favorite hobby, be prepared to communicate your struggles. The more information you provide about the ways that an accident has impacted your life, the stronger your case will be if your auto accident attorney files a claim on your behalf.

Don't Overshare

Although you want to be open and honest with your attorney, you will want to watch how much information you share with the other parties involved in your case.

1. Your Insurance Company: You're only obligated to share the basic facts of your accident with your insurance company. Even though they might seem like they're on your side, they may use your words to avoid paying for things. For instance, if you mentioned that you were tired on the day of your accident or that you were rushing to work, your insurance company might argue that you were negligent. If the police file a report about the accident, make sure that you stick to the details in the report as they are likely to hold more water in court.
2. The Other Insurance Company: Regardless of who's at fault in the accident, you may be asked by the other party's insurance company to provide a statement. However, you aren't obligated to speak with them and should avoid communicating anything more than telling them to speak to your attorney.
3. The Other Driver(s): It's only natural to want to talk to the other drivers involved in your case. This is particularly true when the fault is left ambiguous by the police report. Unfortunately, any communications you might have with the other drivers can be used against you in court. Even an innocuous comment can be damning to you in court.

Be Prepared to Fight

The majority of auto accident cases are settled out of court. Although it might be tempting to take the thousands of dollars an insurance company might initially offer you, your auto accident attorney can likely get you even more. When insurance companies realize that you might file a lawsuit, the insurance company will do just about anything to avoid costly litigation. One of the biggest drawbacks, however, is that you aren't likely to see your money from the case as soon as you would if you settle.

For more information, contact an attorney like David Helfand PA.

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20 March 2020