Yes, you should always contact an attorney immediately after a car accident. Even if you think you have a case that might not be worth pursuing it is important to at least talk to an attorney who can assess the value of your case. Our El Monte car accident lawyers will consult with their clients for free and have no problem giving car accident victims proper guidance after a crash.
No matter if you’re dealing with the other person’s insurance company, your own insurance company, or both, you always must keep in mind that the insurance company will do what is in their own best interest. If they can find a reason to deny your claim, they will. This may sound like an overly cynical point of view, but insurance companies are in the business of making money. These are not nonprofit organizations assessing your case. Quite to the contrary, they are billion-dollar corporations who make money off collecting premiums and minimizing payouts as much as possible.
For example, if you call an insurance company after an accident to open a claim, one of the first things they ask you is if they can take a recorded statement. This goes for the other person’s insurance company and even your own insurance company. They are going to ask you questions designed to make it seem as if the accident was your fault and that you weren’t injured. These questions are designed this way because if the insurance company can show the accident was your fault and/or you weren’t injured at all, they may not have to pay you.
It is common knowledge in the medical community that pain from a car accident can develop a day or even several days after an accident. It’s premature for you to try to fully assess if you’ve been injured or the extent of your injury on the day of an accident. Routinely, the insurance company will offer you a few hundred dollars to resolve your bodily injury claim in hopes of avoiding having to pay you thousands of dollars later after it turns out you need extensive medical treatment (chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, pain management, etc.).
Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you after a crash. You’ve already been through enough. From the minute you file a claim, they already have a team of individuals working to minimizing your claim. You need a team on your side dedicated to protecting your rights and maximizing the value of your case. Make sure to contact a personal injury attorney for advice and/or representation.
The above-mentioned is not to be construed as legal advice.
