After a car accident, you will likely be contacted by an insurance company. It's important to remember that the at fault driver's insurance company does not have your best interests in mind.  Insurance companies will use many tactics to reduce, deny, or delay your claim.  As a result, it's important to follow the below tips when dealing with any insurance company.

Be Careful of Signing Anything

After a car accident, insurance companies will have a lot of documents for you to sign.  Despite what an adjuster may tell you, you aren't under any legal obligation to sign them. These documents may include a settlement offer that's far too low and won't cover the cost of your injuries, or they could include a medical release form. A medical release form allows the insurance company to comb through your medical records so they can blame a pre-existing condition, and not the accident, for your injuries.

Be Careful of What You Tell Them

After a car accident, the insurance company will use your own words you say against you. Because of this do not discuss the details of the accident with the insurance adjuster. The adjuster may try to lock you into a version of the facts or obtain information the insurance company could use against you to deny a claim or decrease the value of your personal injury claim. Do not say anything that could be misconstrued as accepting blame for the accident. The insurance company is already trying to prove that you're own negligence contributed to the crash so they can offer you a much lower settlement, or deny your claim altogether.  The best practice is NOT to give a statement to the insurance company and instead hire a personal injury attorney to speak to them on your behalf.

Property Damage after a Luzerne County Car Accident

Pennsylvania is a “choice” no-fault car insurance state. As a result, your no-fault coverage will pay for medical bills and expenses related to any injuries up to policy limits regardless of who caused the collision. However, whether your property damage is covered by your insurer will depend on if you carry collision coverage, which is optional. If you do not have collision coverage, you probably have the option to file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurer to cover the repairs or replacement of your vehicle

 The Claims Process

Insurance adjusters and companies know the claims process inside out. This is to their advantage, as they will also know how to work it to pay you the smallest settlement possible. As such, it's also important for you to understand the claims process just as well. This will make it harder for the insurance companies to get away with their tactics, so you get the settlement you deserve.

Get the Help of a Luzerne County Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one have been injured as the result of a car accident, call Sklarosky Law today at (570) 283-1200 or use our online contact form and tell us about your potential case.  As explained above, these claims can be complex and challenging.  Do not wait, call us today so that we can help you obtain the financial compensation you may be entitled to.