Injured in an Accident? Get a Free Copy of Our Book to Learn Practical Tips that Help You Pursue a Successful Injury Case |
After being seriously injured in any type of crash, you will be contacted by insurance adjusters representing the other party.
We recommend that in serious injury cases, you consult with counsel before speaking with insurance adjusters. Insurance companies are in the litigation business. You are not.
Simply put, you are not on the same footing as an insurance company. Instead, you should find an experienced attorney, who is also in the business of litigation, to talk to them for you.
If you do talk to an insurance adjuster after a serious crash, they will most likely say or ask you to do the following 3 things:
1. Advise you against hiring an attorney
Oftentimes, insurance adjusters will advise you against hiring an attorney. They say that you shouldn’t share a percentage of your settlement with someone else. In minor crashes, this may be true.
However, if your injuries are severe or if someone you loved died in the crash, you should consult an attorney. What insurance adjusters don’t want you to know is that seriously injured people who have an attorney typically end up with more money in their own pockets than when they settled without counsel.
2. Ask you to give them medical records and/or information on the crash
Additionally, insurance adjusters may ask you to send them your medical records, as well as provide details about your role in the crash. In short, by asking for more information, these adjusters may be trying to downplay the severity of your injuries and get an admission of liability from you.
Your medical records are your property, not the insurance company’s property. In serious injury cases, your records should only be shared with a litigator because they are subject to a protective order to protect their privacy.
3. Recommend you to sign a release
Whenever an insurance adjuster asks you to sign a form, always read it. In some cases, they will give you a release form, which absolves the insurance company and their insured of liability. What’s more, once you sign the release, you will be unable to protect your rights in court.
Just to be safe, if your injuries are serious, never sign anything until you consult an attorney.
Is an Insurance Adjuster Calling You? Contact Us Now for Help
If you have been seriously injured in a crash, consider contacting our attorneys at Shannon Law Group, P.C., today. You can start by filling out our online contact form.
You can also call us at (312) 578-9501 or toll-free (886) 881-9980. One of our teammates will be in touch you soon. A free, no obligation consultation is available as well.
Related Articles:5 Steps You Should Take After a Loved One Has Been Injured in an Illinois Accident |
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today