Car Accident Lawyer Coral Gables, FL
A Coral Gables, FL car accident lawyer from Perez Mayoral, P.A. knows that many car accident victims do not know what to do following an accident. It can be incredibly difficult to keep a level head after you were injured in a car accident. Your emotions are likely all over the place, you may be coming off of adrenaline and feeling your injuries, and you might be listening to the other driver say it wasn’t their fault. This can all be overwhelming, which is why it is important to know ahead of time what you should avoid doing immediately following a car accident. When you are ready to file a claim to receive compensation, reach out to our office. We are here to examine your case and guide you through the process.
Top Mistakes To Avoid Following A Car Accident
Below, you will find the top mistakes to avoid after you were in a car accident that our Coral Gables car accident lawyer knows are common.
- You didn’t call the police. Calling the police after an accident is important. You may be worried that calling the police is dramatic or the other driver may be trying to convince you not to call the police. However, the police officer can offer a completely unbiased perspective regarding the accident and can write details (that you may have missed) in the accident report.
- You admitted fault. It’s a natural reaction for many people. Even if you do not think you were to blame, you may automatically come out of your car saying “I’m sorry.” It is important that you stifle this urge. Even saying “I’m sorry” can give the insurance company something to hold onto when they are throwing you a lowball settlement offer.
- You lost evidence. When emotions are high and the situation is complicated, you may accidentally lose evidence. If you have your phone on you, you should snap pictures or take videos as quickly as possible. Once other people arrive on the scene, the tow truck comes, and someone begins cleaning up, vital evidence is moved and lost forever. Take pictures and videos from various angles.
- You avoided the doctor. Many people try to avoid the doctor as much as possible because they do not want to receive bad news and they do not want to pay the bill. However, you will need to see a doctor if you want your claim to have credibility. When you are fighting for compensation because you were injured, you will need to show that a doctor examined you and has provided information regarding the severity of your injuries and the treatment needed. Your lawyer will be working to have medical bills and treatment covered in the settlement.
How To Handle Insurance After a Car Accident
When it comes to the insurance claim following an accident, it can be tough to realize that the insurance agent has the upper hand. They weren’t there and they didn’t see how badly the accident affected you. Doesn’t this mean that you have the upper hand? Unfortunately, the insurance agent does not need to see the damage from the accident or how bad your injuries are to securely lock in their ability to have the upper hand in the negotiation process. The other party’s insurance agent assigned to your case works on insurance claims daily. They have special training in negotiation and they likely have huge incentives to make sure any settlement is as low as possible. Here’s what you can do when following up with insurance after a car accident.
- Avoid talking to them as much as possible. Understandably, you don’t want to be rude. In fact, you may be so concerned that if you try to get off the phone with them that this will somehow negatively impact your claim. Know that this is not the case. Insurance agents are more than happy to get inexperienced, nervous people on the phone because it gives them the best chance at getting away with a low, unfair settlement amount.
- Know the cost of your repairs. One factor in your insurance settlement will be the damage to your car. This can be tricky, especially if you aren’t a car person. It’s valuable for you to take some time to research what it would cost to fix your car. The insurance agent may attempt to argue that the mechanic is using better, newer parts and making your car more valuable than it was pre-accident. Your lawyer can speak with the mechanic in charge of working on your car to get a statement saying that this is not the case.
- Don’t mention who you have talked with. If the insurance agent is able to get you on the phone after the car accident and you somehow mention that you talked with a friend, your sister, or your dad about the accident, the insurance agent may jump on this. It is possible they will ask you for their contact information to speak with them regarding what you said. This leaves even more room for error when it comes to your claim and more chance that the insurance company will get something they could use against you.
- Avoid saying you don’t have a lawyer. Even if this is true immediately following the accident and you have not retained legal services, an insurance agent will likely try to push you around more if they know you do not have legal help. A lawyer will have more knowledge and experience when it comes to filing a claim and will certainly know how to best negotiate with an insurance agent.
Do not hesitate to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after your car accident. They can help you get through the difficult task of speaking with–and negotiating with–the other party’s insurance agent.
While it can be difficult to remember everything that you should and should not do following a car accident, having a list in mind can help to ground you and remind you of what is most important. When you are ready to file your car accident injury claim, reach out to our Coral Gables car accident lawyer from Perez Mayoral, P.A. today.
