Car Accidents and Insurance Claims:
Insurance companies spend millions of dollars portraying an image that they are here to help you, but the reality is that the insurance company is in the business of making money and profiting. It is not uncommon to hear that you do not need a lawyer to give you legal advice if you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, but the reality is simple, the less money the insurance company pays you, the more money they make.
Have you ever thought about why insurance companies have reserve accounts set aside for each accident? Why if you have not been paid, the company puts the money aside and automatically calls it due, but does not pay it until months or even years later? What happens to the money that is off the insurance companies’ book, but still in their control? Where does the interest in billions and billions of dollars go? Even better, if the money is due, then why do adjustors play hardball and try to lower the value of your claim?
Simply, this is called creative accounting. Insurance companies have a creative way of putting money on the side to hide their profits. At the day’s end, it is all about how much money a big insurance company makes do, and in order to create goodwill with all of us and hide their predatory business practices, insurance companies spend millions on TV advertising in order to create a soft, friendly, and neighborly image. Insurance companies have professionals, lawyers, lobbyists, an array of other supporting groups helping them to minimize your damages, your right to recover money for your injuries.
If you have been involved in any kind of traffic accident, whether a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident, you will inevitably have to deal with your insurance company as well as the insurance agents of others involved in the accident. Filing an insurance claim and handling insurance adjusters can be quite a task. We recommend that you hire an attorney to help you, but if you decide to do it on your own, here are some suggestions as to what you should do:
- If injured seek help immediately;
- Contact an attorney;
- Contact your insurance agent;
- Take pictures of the accident scene;
- Get the names and phone number of all witnesses;
- Take notes as exactly what happened;
- Keep the receipt of all your expenses;
- Do not admit to liability;
- Do not give any statements to anyone without consulting with a lawyer;
- Do not be rude to the police officer at the scene;
- Call a family member to come and help you if you are not able to drive;
- Call a lawyer as soon as possible.
