If you have been involved in a car accident in Cranston, the bottom line is that insurance companies are not your friends. Insurance companies are businesses like any other; their primary interests are minimizing expenses, and in turn, maximizing profits. The best means for insurance companies to minimize expenses is to keep payouts low. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible when compensating individuals for their injuries.
Insurance Companies Could End Up Hurting You.
Insurance companies will try to reach out to you almost immediately following an auto accident, asking for you to answer questions while they record your answers. The insurance representative may withhold important information from you, which could end up hurting you later and costing you money. Do not agree to speak to an insurance company representative when they contact you directly – whatever you say could be used against you, and ultimately damage your chances of receiving compensation. Even if you think engaging the insurance representative is being honest and cooperative, refrain from doing so.
One of the next steps after making sure you are safe and seeking medical attention, should be contacting an attorney in Cranston. Take your time speaking with an auto accident attorney, and make sure to ask them whatever questions you may have, disclosing any concerns. Attorneys will not charge you for the consultation, nor will they charge any legal fees to represent you. Auto accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they charge no legal fees until you receive an auto accident settlement or award. As a general rule, the more serious your injury, the greater your need is for legal representation.
Insurance companies will never advise you to consult an attorney, even though doing so is likely in your best interests. Insurance companies know that if you hire a lawyer, you will have better representation working for you, trying to maximize your recovery. All things considered, insurance companies seek to try and negotiate with the individuals themselves who have been in the accident, hoping that you will accept a lower settlement offer in the absence of zealous, professional legal representation.
Keep in mind, insurance companies may offer to pay for you to get your car fixed in exchange for your acceptance of only $500 or $1,000 to cover your injuries. Your injuries may end up costing you much more than this amount, so do not sell yourself short. Furthermore, insurance companies may not inform you that you have the right to a rental car during the interim period while your vehicle gets repaired, or their representative may not inform you that old parts could be used in fixing your vehicle. A knowledgeable attorney will relieve the stress of these offers to settle for less than what you deserve.
Medical Expenses Covered by Insurance Companies:
Your vehicle aside, insurance companies may not tell you that they will not cover all of your medical expenses. They use the “reasonable and customary” standard and compare your expenses to what they state are other doctors’ charges for comparable services. They will scrutinize your claimed expenses, asking medical professionals which aspects of your treatment were necessary or unnecessary.
These other medical professionals however, are on the insurance companies’ payrolls, helping to minimize payouts. Be wary of any request by the insurance company for you to sign a release of your medical records. If granted, insurance companies will look at your medical history for any prior instances of injury, and claim that your most recent accident was not the actual cause of your present condition.
There may be exceptions to these general rules, but they will be few and far between. The attorneys and legal staff at d’Oliveira & Associates in Cranston can assist you in dealing with insurance companies. Our auto accident lawyers have experience handling these types of cases and negotiating with the insurance companies. Contact the firm any time at 1-800-992-6878 or complete an online contact form.