Should I Speak to the Other Party’s Insurance Company?
West Palm Beach, Florida
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is very important that you do not talk to the insurance company representing the other party involved.
Insurance companies are businesses. They search for avenues that allow them to pay you as little money as possible. The other party’s insurance company will typically try to obtain a recorded statement from you soon after the accident. You are not obligated by law to speak to their insurance adjuster, and should refrain from doing so before you contact a Florida automobile accident attorney. Even if you believe you are not saying anything incriminating, you may not realize how your statement could be held against you.
Be wary of immediate offers
Insurance companies make profits by paying the least amount of damages possible in a personal injury claim. Insurance adjusters are skilled at using sneaky techniques to minimize their payment to you. One tactic is to make you an offer immediately. Even if that figure seems attractive, keep in mind that you may have lingering medical bills and the inability to earn future wages that is not factored into this abrupt settlement amount.
Do not accept any monetary offer before consulting a qualified attorney. Most often, the amount offered to you by an insurance adjuster is less then the amount to which you are entitled. Florida personal injury lawyer Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. can help ensure that you are not limited in receiving the compensation you deserve by any statements you make.
Once you consult a lawyer and decide what to say, you can speak to the other party’s insurance adjuster. You should practice exactly:
- How you want the conversation to go
- How to answer questions
- What you should say to protect your own interests
Your insurance company
While you should not speak to the other party’s insurance company, be sure to contact your own insurance company as soon as possible after an automobile accident (once you have received the appropriate medical care).
Also read over your insurance policy to make sure you understand exactly what coverage your policy includes. Carefully review the “exclusion” and “coverage” portions of this policy. Also be sure to record all conversations you have with insurance company representatives. This includes your insurance adjuster and the other party’s insurance adjuster, when you finally talk to him or her. Keep a record of the contact information for these people, including job titles.
For more information on dealing with insurance companies, please visit our page on insurance claims do’s and don’ts.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and an insurance adjuster is trying to reach you, please contact the law office of Florida automobile accident lawyer Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. Serving clients in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, we offer free consultations and can help you through the claim process.
OFFICE LOCATION: 2090 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Suite 402
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
1-800-GOLD-LAW
Call Toll Free 1-800-GOLD-LAW (465-3529)
The reader’s understanding of the information on this website about personal injury law does not constitute a formal legal relationship with the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. Please do not assume this content to be formal legal advice. If you would like to know if you have a valid personal injury case, please contact a attorney in Palm Beach County at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. today for a complimentary consultation regarding personal injury law in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Port St. Lucie and Palm Beach County, Florida.