Posted on Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 at 4:53 pm
When you are in a traffic accident in San Francisco or any of the Bay Area cities, it is vital that you take certain steps after the collision to protect your right to receive a fair settlement for your injuries, damages, and losses. The things you do after a traffic accident can have a direct and substantial impact on whether you receive full compensation from the other driver. Our San Francisco accident attorneys want to help you recover the money you deserve from the negligent driver who caused the crash.
Below are three things that every person should know if they are injured in a San Francisco traffic-related accident.
- See a Doctor Immediately!
If you are not transported directly to the hospital by an ambulance, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. The most important reason to see a doctor is to protect your health. Some victims of car accidents do not suffer symptoms immediately after an accident. However, you could be suffering from an injury that could cause life-threatening or life-altering conditions. It is always best to be checked by a doctor after any accident, even if you do not believe you are seriously injured.
In addition, failing to seek medical treatment or a delay in treatment could be used by the insurance company for the other driver to deny or undervalue your accident claim. The company might argue that your delay in seeking medical care is evidence that you are not seriously injured or not injured at all. There are several ways the insurance company’s attorney could use the delay to convince a jury there is enough doubt to deny your claim.
- Do Not Be Fooled by an Insurance Adjuster.
The adjuster is employed by the insurance company for the other driver. He does not work for you or in your best interest. The adjuster investigates the accident to find ways to pay as little as possible to settle your claim. An adjuster is not a terrible person, he is simply doing his job which is to protect the company’s best interest, not your best interest. Therefore, you should avoid providing any statements to the adjuster and signing any releases or documents until you speak with an attorney.
An accident attorney has your best interest as his top priority. You deserve to have a team of legal professionals working on your behalf to hold the insurance company and the responsible parties liable for all your damages. Do not undercut your claim by attempting to work directly with the adjuster without first consulting one of our lawyers.
- Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement Claim.
You are not doing yourself any favors by accepting a quick settlement claim. If the insurance adjuster believes your claim could be worth more later, he may offer you a quick settlement to resolve the case now for less money. While it may be tempting to accept the offer because you need money, especially if you have been out of work, it is never wise to do so until you have reached maximum medical improvement and you have consulted with one of our accident attorneys.
Once you accept a settlement offer and sign the release, you cannot ask for more money, even if you realize you have another injury or need future medical care. Before denying yourself the full value of your claim, take advantage of our free consultation to discuss your case with an accident lawyer.
San Francisco Accident Attorneys
For a free legal consultation with our accident attorneys, call The Tiemann Law Firm at 1-800-712-2000. We offer free legal consultations to accident victims and their families in the greater San Francisco area.
