When you get into a vehicular accident, after the accident, you are going to need to work with an insurance company in order to get compensation for your injuries. The thing you need to remember, though, is that the insurance company is not on your side. Insurance companies like to play a lot of tricks in order to reduce their costs, which is why you need to be aware of their tricks and have a personal injury attorney on your side.

Trick #1: Asking for a Statement Early On

Be careful about picking up the phone when either your car insurance company or the car insurance company of the other driver calls and asks about the accident. More than likely, they will start the conversation off by asking about how you are doing. Then, they will ask you for a statement about the accident.

Insurance companies like to ask for statements as early as possible before you know the full extent of your injuries. If you say that you are fine in the statement, and later start to experience soft tissue injuries as the adrenaline from the accident wears off, the insurance company can easily dismiss that pain as not connected to the accident if they got a statement from you earlier before all the injuries were present.

When the insurance company calls, let them know that you will call them back at a later date when you feel better to give your full statement. When you call back, make sure your attorney is there on the phone call with you. If you are still getting medical care, state that. Unless you have a fully healed note from the doctor, don't say that you are okay.

Trick #2: Medical Authorization

Next, the insurance company will more than likely ask you for medical authorization so they can access your medical records. The insurance company will provide you with a very broad, far-reaching authorization that will allow them to look at medical information not related to the accident. Many insurance companies then use that information to discredit your actual injuries.

Trick #3: Early Settlement

Finally, insurance companies try to trick you by offering you a settlement very early in the process before you have fully healed from the injuries due to the accident. Do not accept this check. You need to wait until you are fully healed or have reached a point where you will not get any better, so you know the full medical cost and financial impact the accident has had on your life. Your attorney will work with you to create counteroffers and ensure you get the settlement you deserve.

When you are involved in an auto accident, it is important to remember the insurance company is only looking out for their best interests. Work with your attorney to draft a statement. Don't sign any paperwork or accept any settlement without having your attorney look it over; this is the best way to protect yourself from getting shorted during the settlement process. Talk to a law firm like Snyder & Wenner, P.C. today for more information

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