You Have Questions? We Have Answers.

The short answer is yes, you can handle your personal injury claim yourself, but it is never a good idea. Remember, the insurance company is there to represent the best interest of their insured. This means they will sometimes try to deny liability for your property damage, minimize your medical expenses, or outright deny your claim for bodily injury compensation. Personal injury law is complex and requires an experienced professional to analyze every factor involved in your case to ensure your rights are protected. This is why it is important to hire an experienced personal injury attorney with an in depth knowledge of the law to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.

Understand that determinations of fault are not always clear or consistent. For instance, a responding officer might deem you or the other party at fault, but the officer’s opinion is not binding upon the insurance company. Even if the insurance company determines you to be at fault, you might still be able to recover. This is one of many reasons you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can thoroughly investigate the case in order to support and document who is truly at fault. When at the scene, avoid volunteering your opinion about who is to blame for the accident. You might think you were at fault and later learn that the other driver is as much or more to blame than you are for the accident. Keep in mind, statements you make about the accident could be used against you at a later time.

A recorded statement is the insurance company’s way of memorializing the various accounts of what happened during an accident. These statements will also involve questions regarding your injuries. Keep in mind that any statement you provide the insurance company can be used against you. Therefore, you should consult an experienced personal injury attorney before providing any statements.

If you have been involved in an accident there are certain steps you should take to make sure you are properly compensated for your damaged property, medical bills and injuries. Always make sure to gather as much information as you can about the other party. This includes vehicle descriptions, license plate number, insurance information, and contact information. Be certain to gather the contact information for any witnesses because many people leave the scene of an accident believing the other party has accepted responsibility only to find out later that the other party is actually placing you at fault. Also take photos of the scene, damage to all vehicles involved, and the individuals involved. If there is a police officer on the scene, get his/her name, badge or I.D. number, and contact information. This information will be useful when attempting to obtain the police report. These are just a few things to keep in mind to streamline the handling of your claim. Below is a list of common most common questions we receive regarding personal injury claims.