09/28/2018
Don't Do This!
If you are injured in an accident, never do any of these things:
1. Handle the accident without the police.
Contact the police if you or anyone else was injured in the crash, regardless of how the other party feels about it.
2. Admit liability.
Never admit liability of any kind! When talking with police or the insurance company, address the facts without inserting any opinions. It is up to the police and the insurance company to determine fault. If you are at fault, let the police and the insurance company, do not make that decision for them.
3. Delay medical care.
Even if you think you have minor injuries, you may be more seriously injured than you first think. Don't think you can tough it out on your own. Failing to get a prompt evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment from a medical doctor as soon as possible after your accident can hurt your claim, and the insurance company WILL use any delay against you.
4. Delay filing an insurance claim.
It is important to be timely with all paperwork, particularly with your own insurance company. Insurance companies require that the insurance claim be filed within a specified period of time—typically 30 days or less.
5. Believe everything you’re told.
Don’t take anything the insurance company tells you at face value. The insurance company will always try to settle for less than the true value of your claim. Determine how the numbers were calculated and research everything yourself.
6. Accept settlement for less than you deserve.
Never sign anything without thoroughly reviewing and understanding all provisions. And make sure you do not accept a check as a full and final settlement unless it fully compensates you for all of your injuries and damages.