Did you or a loved one get injured in a car crash? Check out these 3 car accident tips for guidance, then contact our Stillwater attorneys for a free review.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will attempt to contact a person injured in a wreck by one of their insured. I think it’s probably okay to give them your name, address, and phone number. They have that information anyway – it’s on the accident report – but I wouldn’t go into details about your injuries and the treatment you’re receiving. They have a way of asking leading questions. They want to lead you into a path that says, “Oh, I’m not really hurt that bad,” or “I’m not really hurt at all,” or “My pain didn’t start until a week after the wreck.” They want to put you in a compromising situation so they can cause confusion to a potential jury. I would recommend that you do not talk to the insurance company, other than just giving them the basic information and getting a claim number from them. I would contact an attorney, hire an attorney, and let them deal with the adjuster. An attorney knows all of your rights. An insurance adjuster knows all your rights too, and they want to manipulate the facts and manipulate the questions they ask you to minimize or limit the amount of money you may be able to claim someday.
Car Accident Settlement Offers
Insurance companies will contact someone who’s been injured in a wreck and they will offer a small amount of money as a settlement to see if they can get the case to settle quickly. That is not in anyone’s best interest. Many times, your symptoms don’t manifest themselves for one, two, maybe even three weeks. Sometimes injuries will get worse over time. What you may believe is nothing more than a sore neck might turn into, six months later, having to have a serious operation. I have at least one client who had a whiplash injury. A year later she had to have a cervical fusion. They offered her very little money up front – she didn’t take it – and by the time it was all over, she did very well on the case. You have to understand that insurance companies have their best interest at heart. In Oklahoma, I call it the four D’s of defense used by insurance companies: delay, deny, discourage, defeat. Do not be upset if they deny your claim. Do not be upset if it’s a low amount of money. More often than not, people take their money because they don’t know anything else to do. Don’t worry about a low offer.
Seek an attorney. Help will come to you if you hire an attorney. If you try to do it on your own, you’re at the mercy of the insurance company. Do not take the initial amount. Wait and make sure you completely understand your health status.
Car Accident Medical Bills
If you are in a wreck and you are not at fault, the other person who is at fault will eventually pay for your medical bills. They might not do it right away because the insurance company controls the money and when it comes to you. Do not delay going to the doctor or getting medical treatment because you don’t know who’s going to pay for it. If you contact a lawyer and talk to them about the case, they can tell you very quickly if there’s going to be medical coverage for you to seek medical treatment. Many physical therapists and chiropractors will wait until the case is settled before they ask for your medical bills, so they won’t tell you every time you come in, “We can’t see you anymore until you pay.” Some doctors won’t even see you if it’s a car wreck case. If you contact an attorney, they’ll be able to direct you to physicians that will be able to work with you and get your medical bills paid when the case is settled. Please seek medical treatment as soon as you feel you need it. Symptoms take time to manifest themselves, and if you think you’re not getting better, get to a doctor immediately and contact a lawyer about helping you get your medical bills paid.
Were you or a loved one seriously injured after a motor vehicle wreck and have questions about our 3 car accident tips? Contact a Stillwater car accident lawyer at Murray Law Firm today for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation. Let our experience work for you.
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