Car insurance is intended to give you the financial relief and peace of mind you need in the event of an accident. However, most accident victims can attest that this peace of mind quickly gives way to frustration when your insurance company denies your claim or offers a settlement that won’t even cover your expenses.
Statistics show that the average driver will be involved in a collision once every 17.9 years, so, chances are, that you will have to rely on your insurance coverage at some point. When this occurs, you need to know not only that you’re adequately covered by a reputable company, but also how to interact with from the insurance company.
Here are a few tips:
Choose Your Insurance Policy Wisely
While Louisiana law requires that a person have a minimum bodily injury liability policy in the amount of $15,000 per person, and $30,000 per accident, this might not be enough for you. When purchasing your insurance policy, think about having enough liability insurance to protect your assets if you’re involved in an accident that was your fault. Also consider the appropriate amount of comprehensive and collision insurance, which will protect you from any damage to your car caused by unforeseen events (hail, a tree branch falling, etc.) or an accident, and uninsured motorist coverage, which will help you in the case that you’re involved in an accident caused by one of the many uninsured or underinsured drivers in Louisiana. In many cases, simply carrying minimum liability insurance is not enough to truly protect you and your assets after an accident.
Don’t Sign Anything
Insurance companies are famous for shoving documents in front of a person’s face and asking for a signature, both before and following an accident. An insurance agent may get you to try to purchase a policy that you don’t need and can’t afford, may ask you to sign a document that is detrimental to you in the event of an accident, may ask you to sign over access to health documents–which can be used against you in the event of an accident, or may ask you to sign a form detailing a settlement amount that you aren’t satisfied with. To be safe, you should never sign anything without fully understanding it, and without the assistance of a auto injury attorney in Baton Rouge.
Be Careful What You Say
While all the insurance coverage in the world can be purchased, if you’re in an accident, your insurance company may try to withhold benefits. In the event that you’re in a car accident, it’s imperative that you act carefully with what you say, as anything said can be held against you.
For example, don’t make any apologies to the other driver of the car, as even the words “I’m sorry,” might be used against you as an admittance of guilt. Additionally, don’t admit any health problems, even ones as minor as wearing glasses, as an insurance agent may try to use this to prove that you weren’t wearing your corrective lenses at the time of the accident, thereby holding you negligent. While you’ll have to report the car accident to your insurance agent following an accident, keep the conversation brief, factual, and limited to reporting the accident. You don’t have to answer all questions put forth by an insurance provider, and you don’t have to accept a settlement offer.
Seek Legal Assistance Immediately
When dealing with an insurance company following a car accident, utilizing the assistance of a personal injury attorney is within your best interest. When an insurance company tries to lowball your offer or put the blame on your shoulders, an attorney can help.
If you are located in Louisiana and have questions about your insurance policy, your rights as the victim of an accident, or how to handle your accident claim, call the attorneys at Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers today. One of our skilled attorneys will gladly review your case and help you determine how to best resolve your situation. Simply click here, or call us directly at (225) 387-2323. We are here to help.
