Insurance Company Adjusters Work Against You After an Automobile Accident
The job of an insurance company adjuster is to settle the claim against their company quickly and for the least amount of money possible. They are experienced in asking questions that are seemingly friendly but in fact are designed to get you to illicit a response that they can hold against you in settlement proceedings or in court. If you are involved in an automobile accident there are several things you need to do and a few you shouldn’t do.
The first thing to do immediately after an automobile accident is to wait for or call the police and then immediately file an accident report. Other than that you are advised to remain silent. An insurance adjuster will either show up at the scene of the accident or call you at home to ask you to make a recorded statesmen. He will try to get you to talk about the accident using loaded, leading questions and you are under no obligation to respond. Simply refer them to your auto accident personal injury attorney and say no more. At the Law Firm of Ferguson & Ferguson, we have the experience to deal effectively with insurance company adjusters, and provide only the necessary information about the accident that will aid you in maximizing your settlement.
The next thing you should do is to seek medical attention immediately whether or not you think you are injured. Never admit that you feel fine or are unhurt as most fracture and internal injuries will not become apparently painful for days. No matter the severity of the crash, you need to get to a hospital emergency room immediately and get a complete checkup and x-rays and to have lacerations and bruises treated. If nothing else going immediately to the closest emergency room will document that you have been in a serious accident with the other party and that it required medical attention.
People believe that insurance companies are fair and honest and in business to help both parties arrive at a fair and equitable settlement. Unfortunately nothing could be further from the truth. An insurance adjuster works for the insurance company and is an expert in using every trick in the book to limit or eliminate the amount of money that they have to pay. They are not necessarily dishonest, it’s just that insurance companies are in business to make a profit and they have an obligation to reduce claims against their company as much as possible.
If you on the other hand have been hurt by the negligence of one of their customers, you need time to prepare a case against them and then sue the insurance company for the maximum amount that you are entitled to. You are entitled to reimbursement for medical expenses and for pain and suffering.
If you have been involved in a car accident call the personal injury attorneys at Ferguson & Ferguson for a free consultation. If you are injured and unable to come to our office, we can come to see you and will determine whether you have a case. Our firm has more than 50 years of experience litigating major cases. We have the resources to investigate your claim, hire the necessary experts, and get you the compensation that you deserve. Ferguson & Ferguson represents injured people from communities all across Alabama such as Birmingham, Decatur and Huntsville.