Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with the Insurance Company after an Auto Accident

The auto accident attorneys at the law firm of Silverman McDonald & Friedman are here to represent the interests of our clients who have been injured in a car crash that was caused by another person’s negligence. We can help you to obtain the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today at our offices in Wilmington, Seaford and Newark to discuss your case.

Getting into a car crash that was caused by another driver’s negligence can be a scary, nerve-wrecking experience. You may have an injury, your car is certainly damaged and now you are faced with this massive hassle of dealing with the insurance company of the at-fault driver. Since dealing with the aftermath of motor vehicle crashes is a large part of what we do every day, we are going to share a few tips and strategies that will save you a headache later.

Do:

• Keep your cool. Try to remain calm in what could potentially be a stressful situation.
• Report the crash to your insurance company. Let your insurance company know about your auto accident, and pass along the name, contact information and insurance company information that you got from the other driver. Your insurance company is responsible for investigating your accident claim. Next, you will need to call the other insurance company and report the crash. Let them know the extent of your injuries and property damage sustained in the accident. Make sure that the insurance company has accepted responsibility for the accident with a written authorization before you bring your car in for repairs.
• Cooperate with your insurance company’s investigation. Your insurance company adjuster might request a recorded statement from you as they investigate who is at fault in the accident.

Do not:

• Leave the scene of the crash. You are compelled by lay to remain on the scene of a motor vehicle accident if you were involved. If you leave without making sure that the other parties are safe and arrange for medical attention if someone is hurt, you can be charged with a crime.
• Speak to the at-fault party’s insurance company. The other party’s insurance company will likely request a recorded statement from you if you were not at-fault in the crash. There is no legal requirement for you to give this statement. You may want to get the advice of an experienced Delaware auto accident attorney before you sign any documents or give an official statement that they can use against you later. You can tell them what happened, but do not allow them to record your statement.
• Apologize for anything. Sometimes when confronted with awkward situations, people tend to apologize even when whatever happened is not their fault. Do not apologize. In fact, say as little as possible and make sure that you get the name and contact information for the driver who caused the crash.
• Accept the first settlement offer. Once the claim reaches the stage where the insurance company is discussing a settlement, you may want to contact an auto accident attorney. Chances are you have no way of knowing the value of your claim, you do not know if this is a lowball offer, and you do not know how much more you could expect to get. Injury attorneys are expert negotiators and they deal with insurance companies and their tactics every day. If you do not feel confident discussing your medical expenses, property damages and other considerations, an attorney will represent you and make sure that you get the best settlement available given the facts of your case.

Please take a moment to call us at 302.414.5553 or fill out our quick contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car crash case with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. From our offices in Newark, Seaford and Wilmington, the auto accident lawyers of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman proudly serve clients throughout Delaware.

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• Is It Ever Okay to Deal with the Other Person’s Insurance Company after a Crash?