How to Deal with Insurance Companies
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident and are filing a personal injury claim, you will inevitably have to deal with insurance companies- both your own and the insurance company of the person responsible for your injuries. Knowing how to deal with insurance companies can help your case, and your sanity.
How to Deal with Insurance Companies
If an insurance adjuster shows up at the scene of your motorcycle accident, keep in mind that you do not, and should not, give out any information other than how to contact you and your lawyer. You must cooperate fully with police and EMS on the scene, but the insurance adjuster may try to take advantage of your excited, adrenaline-infused state and try to get you to say something that could be used against you later.
If you think you will be involved in a personal injury case, contact your lawyer before you speak to any insurance representative. Your personal injury lawyer will help you protect your rights under the law and will notify you of what is appropriate to answer, and what is not, when an insurance adjuster comes calling.
If you are filing a claim with your insurance company, submit your claim as early as possible. While most states have laws that place time restrictions on how long the insurance company has to respond to your claim, the process could be drug out over several weeks or months, so starting early is always a good idea.
Start a log as soon as you are able. Record the dates, times, names, and details of every correspondence relating to your case, especially correspondence between you and the insurance companies. This log may prove to be an invaluable tool later on if your case goes to court.
Be sure you get the full value of your insurance policy. Don’t settle for less, especially if you have extensive injuries or property damage as a result of your accident. You paid for your policy and are entitled to the full pay-out value.
Document your own evidence. Take pictures of the accident scene if you are able or call someone else right away to take photographs for you. Record every detail you can think of and get witness statements in your own log and submit this to your attorney.
If an insurance adjuster provides you with an estimate of the damage to your bike, be sure to get a second opinion from an outside source. In fact, get several estimates from well-known repair shops in your area to compare with the insurance company’s estimate. This will ensure that you are getting a fair price for the value of your totaled motorcycle, or enough cash to complete repairs on your motorcycle once your injuries heal.
Dealing with insurance companies is much easier when you know your rights and when you have a personal injury lawyer on your side. Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident.
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