Here’s What Will Happen If You Represent Yourself After An Accident

After you have an accident, you may think about getting an injury attorney. But then the other side’s insurance company calls, or the other side itself, if they are self insured, And you start to think…hey they seem pretty nice. I’m doing OK speaking with them. Maybe I should just speak to them myself?

Before you go that route, take a pause. Because there are inherent problems in speaking to the other side yourself, without an attorney representing you.

Will You Speak to Them?

The other insurance company will undoubtedly reach out to you, and you may have two competing thoughts. The first thought is that you shouldn’t be speaking to them; they represent the other side, and surely, they are speaking with you to try to trip you up to try to get you to say something wrong, or to say something that could damage your right to get compensation.

But on the other hand, you do need to speak with them to some extent, if you expect them to compensate you for your injury.

The line between what’s too much to say, or what is too much for them to ask, is one that you won’t be able to determine by yourself.

Are They On Your Side?

Are they truly trying to help you? Because they sound very helpful, and even willing to compensate you. Or perhaps, that’s all a trick; maybe they’re trying to sound nice, when they really don’t intend to compensate you.

This is the dialog that will go on in your head, when they start to ask questions. And you won’t know which direction they’re going. They’re very good at lulling unrepresented injury victims into a false sense of security.

What Documents Should You Give Them?

Things will get especially precarious, when they start asking for things. Medical records. Medical authorizations. Photos. Bank statements. Can they ask for all those things?

You suspect likely not, but you also have concern that if you say no they won’t communicate with you, and won’t make you any settlement offer. So, out of fear and desperation, you’ll give them what they want. Little do you know, you’re giving them more than you need to and they’re using that information to plan their defenses against you.

Take a Settlement Offer?

Assuming you get through all of that, you may actually get a settlement offer. It will be less than what you were expecting. Should you ask for more? Counteroffer?

You need more compensation-but you also don’t want them to withdraw their offer. They’ve told you that if you get a lawyer and file a lawsuit, you’ll lose. Should you believe them and just take their offer?

Get an Attorney

These are all questions and situations that an injury attorney deals with all the time. Insurance companies and corporate defendants love unrepresented victims. They have attorneys and money and know what to say to you, to discourage you and make you damage your own case.

Don’t let them do that to you. Find an injury attorney to stand by your side. Contact our Rhode Island injury lawyers at Robert E. Craven & Associates at 401-453-2700 for help.

Source:

progressive.com/answers/what-is-an-insurance-adjuster/