Posted on Monday, June 12th, 2017 at 11:03 pm
Have you been injured in a car accident? Are you dealing with an insurance adjuster for the other driver? Do you know your legal rights regarding a car accident claim? Is the insurance adjuster pushing you to accept a settlement?
It is important that you understand your legal rights when dealing with an insurance adjuster. Many people have never been injured in a car accident; therefore, they are not aware of certain rights they have regarding a claim. An insurance adjuster may take advantage of a person’s lack of knowledge to settle a claim in the best interest of the insurance company — pay the least amount possible, not necessarily a fair and full settlement.
What You Need to Know
Below are a few of the basics that you should know before dealing with an insurance adjuster.
You can see your doctor.
As an accident victim, you do not have to go to a doctor the insurance company supplies. You have the right to go to your doctor. Always see a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you do not believe your injuries are serious. You could be suffering from an injury that does not present symptoms right away. Seeing a doctor after a car accident protects your health and your accident claim.
You do not have to give a statement.
The insurance adjuster may try to get you to give a written or recorded statement. You are not legally required to provide a statement for your claim to be processed. Remember, anything you say may be held against you later in the case, and insurance adjusters are trained to ask leading questions that could trip you up.
You are not required to sign a medical release.
The insurance company wants your medical records, but they are not entitled to ALL of your medical records. An adjuster may tell you that you need to sign a medical release before your claim is processed. Be very careful because the release may include ALL of your records. Medical records should be limited to the records pertaining to your injuries from the car accident.
You do not have to accept the first settlement offer.
An insurance adjuster may make a low settlement offer to entice you to settle your case quickly before you consult with an attorney. You are not required to accept any settlement offer, especially without seeking advice from an attorney.
You have the right to legal counsel.
Accident victims have the absolute right to consult with a Sacramento car accident attorney at any time after the accident. It is always in your best interest to consult an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. An attorney can begin protecting your legal rights as soon as you hire the attorney.
Have You Been Injured In A Car Accident?
Being injured in a car accident is always traumatic, regardless of the severity of your injury. Even a minor injury can cause you to miss time from work, have difficulty cleaning house, miss your child’s sports events, and create a financial hardship. Do not let an insurance adjuster minimize your injury to devalue your claim. You have the legal right to full compensation for all damages and losses.
We want to protect your best interest and help you recover compensation for your injuries. Call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or visit our website for more information and to schedule your free consultation and free case evaluation with a Sacramento car accident lawyer.
