Things to Avoid Saying to Insurance Companies
After a car accident, you need to be extremely careful about what you say to anyone, especially insurance adjusters. The insurance companies are the ones who have the biggest say in what compensation you may receive after a crash, so you need to make sure you do not say anything they could use to diminish or deny your claim. Below are a handful of the most important things to avoid saying to insurance companies after a car accident in Florida:
Any Kind of Formal Statement
The basic rules to follow when talking with insurance companies after an accident are to stick to the basic facts, be brief, and avoid making any formal statement. The insurance adjusters will be looking closely at every word you say or anything you put in writing so they can find a reason to shift the blame to you or reduce the value of your claim. To maximize the potential compensation you receive after an accident, let your lawyer do all the talking with the insurance companies after an accident.
“I’m Sorry”
It’s nice to be polite toward the other driver in an accident, as well as any insurance adjusters you talk to. However, you want to avoid saying “I’m sorry” or anything along those lines. An apology could be taken as an admission of guilt, even if you did not intend it that way. And if it looks like you are admitting guilt for an accident, you will have a much more difficult time recovering any compensation for your injuries.
“I’m Fine”
Even if you believe the injuries you suffered in a car accident are minor, it can take days or weeks for symptoms to fully manifest and understand the extent and impact of your injuries. Telling an insurance agent that you feel “fine” could cost you significant compensation later on if it turns out that your injuries are more severe than you realized.
“I Didn’t See”
This may be true, and there may have been a good reason you could not see the other driver: They did not have their lights on in the dark, they approached too quickly from a bad angle, and so on. But saying “I didn’t see” can easily be taken as evidence that you were not paying attention to the road and are responsible for what happened.
“I Think”
Any indication that you are uncertain about what happened in an accident can be used to poke holes in your claim, potentially costing you money you badly need. You need to sound certain about what happened in the crash, and you need to be consistent until your case concludes. Avoid making any statement based on an opinion instead of facts.
“Yes” to the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies count on the fact that you may need money quickly to get you to accept a lower settlement offer for your property damage. Do not fall for this trick. You can negotiate for a fair settlement that fully compensates for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle. A seasoned PI lawyer in Gainesville can also help negotiate a fair personal injury settlement on your behalf.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
There is an easy way to maximize the potential compensation you receive after a car accident and minimize your chance of saying the wrong thing to an insurance adjuster: Hire an experienced car accident attorney in Gainesville. The Gainesville personal injury attorneys at Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano P.A. have dedicated their careers to upholding the rights of accident victims. Our clients have recovered millions of dollars with our help.
Here are just a few of the ways we can help you with a car accident case:
- We will meticulously investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your case.
- We will use the evidence we gather to identify the potentially liable parties.
- We will fill out all the necessary paperwork and file your insurance claim promptly.
- We will aggressively negotiate with the insurance companies to help you obtain a fair settlement.
- We will be prepared to bring your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Contact Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano Today
Hiring a knowledgeable car accident lawyer after a crash can help put you in the best possible position to pursue full compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Contact Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano P.A. today for a free initial consultation with an experienced Gainesville car accident attorney.
Mr. Fine was born in New York, New York, and was raised in the northeast, where he studied sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He then graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1976. In law school, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Mr. Fine was admitted into the Florida Bar in 1976, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1977, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in 1991, and the United States Court of Appeals 11th Circuit in 1982.