Middletown Auto Accident

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Middletown, RI you may think you’ve already experienced the worst being involved in the collision but if you speak to an insurance company before you speak to a knowledgeable Middletown auto accident lawyer your actions may add insult to injury.

Speaking with a lawyer prior to the insurance company will help keep your legal options open after you have been in an automobile accident. The consequence of speaking with an insurance company first can potentially damage your claim.

Always speak to an experienced Middletown auto accident lawyer first and follow these guidelines when speaking to insurance adjustors:

What You Should Do When Dealing With Your Insurance Company

    meeting-attorney

  • Prepare – speak with your attorney. Take the time to fully understand the process and take advantage of your attorney’s years of experience.
  • Write down the name, address and phone number of the insurance adjuster and insurance company.
  • Provide your full name, address and telephone number.
  • Tape the conversation. If you can’t tape it take good notes of the conversation.
  • Ask the adjuster if they are aware of any witnesses.
  • accident-formBe as detailed as possible in describing your injuries. Tell the adjuster everything that you have experienced. When asked “if that is all” tell the adjuster that it is all that you can think of right now, but you are sure that there are other things you may have told your Doctors.
  • Tell the truth. It is imperative that you are truthful at all times. Lying or exaggerating can be harmful to your case.
  • Pause before answering the question. This will give you time to think about the question and the answer you are about to give. You are not being timed.
  • It is okay to answer “I don’t know” or “I don’t understand”.
  • Treat the adjuster with respect.
  • Answer questions with “yes” or “no” that call for it.

What You Shouldn’t Do When Dealing With Your Insurance Company

  • Do not agree to an audio tape recording by the insurance adjuster of the conversation, unless your attorney is present.
  • Insurance adjusters will engage you in an informal conversation in an effort to relax you and get as many details about the accident as possible. Be aware of this.
  • You do not need to provide details about your work, such as income, schedule or details of what you do at your job unless you have a lost wage claim.
  • Do not agree to anything.
  • DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING.
  • Don’t answer family questions. You are under no obligation to give any information about your family.
  • You are not obligated at this point to identify witnesses.
  • You are not obligated to give the adjuster the name of your doctor.
  • Do not talk in absolutes, i.e. do not give exact distances, times, etc.
  • Always use qualifying words such as approximately.
  • When you report the accident give general information. You should speak with your attorney prior to giving a formal recorded statement.
  • Do not argue with or get angry at the adjuster. If you do then you have made it more difficult to obtain a fair settlement of your case.
  • Do not guess the meaning of any question. If you do not understand a question ask that the question be repeated or clarified. I don’t know is usually an adequate answer.
  • Do not volunteer information. Make sure you fully answer the adjusters’ question and then quit speaking. Although it is important to always tell the truth, it is also important not to give more information in your answer than the question asked for.
  • Do not interrupt the question, even if you know the answer.
  • Do not answer compound questions with a yes or no answer.
  • Do not allow the adjuster to assume facts that are not true when asking his question. Always correct or clarify any untrue facts.
  • Do not use phrases like “In all honesty” or “I would never lie”.
  • Do not use words like “always” or “never”.
  • Do not give long narrative answers.
  • Do not use words like “uh-huh” or “mm-hmm”. These can be misinterpreted and change the meaning of your answer.

Don’t be deceived, insurance companies are not always our friends. A big percentage of personal injury clients only seek the help of a qualified Middletown auto accident lawyer after they have been disappointed by their insurance companies. Contact a qualified auto accident beforehand could help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Have You Been Injured in an Auto Accident?

Middletown Auto Accident LawyerIf you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident you may be entitled to compensation. It is important that you contact a knowledgeable and experienced Middletown Auto Accident Lawyer to help guide you through the legal process and ensure you get the help you deserve. d’Oliveira & Associates has many year of experience handling these specific cases.

Feel free to contact us at 1-800-992-6878, stop by one of our 15 locations, or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation. There are no legal fees until you receive a settlement or reward.

Middletown Auto Accident Lawyers | d’Oliveira & Associates

1521 West Main Rd.,
Middletown, RI 02842

Phone: (401) 846-5449

Author Photo

Paul d’Oliveira

Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.

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