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Guidelines for dealing with auto insurance companies

One of the most important things to remember about auto accidents, is to tell the truth. Do not admit or make any judgments or opinions regarding the accident. Simply recount it to the authorities as honestly as you can remember it. The complexity of traffic laws and other factors that you may not be aware of may show that you were not at fault.  The insurance company is looking for facts, and the job of an insurance adjuster is to determine which party is at fault in an accident.

The California Bar recommends that you report the car accident to your insurance company. The insurance agent can tell you what forms and reports are necessary to provide for your claim.

General guidelines

• Make sure any details you report about the accident are factual and truthful.
• Keep all medical bills, copies of forms submitted, and have your insurance policy and number available if communicating with the insurance company.
• Do not sign any documents or waivers without understanding the terms and consulting your attorney first. You could end up waiving your rights or considerably reducing the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. If an insurance company is pressuring you to sign forms and you do not have an attorney, it is definitely time to seek legal advice. Some insurance companies have a reputation for attempting to settle before the full extent of necessary future medical treatment is apparent.
• Keep a written record of any conversations with the insurance company.

If the accident resulted in serious injury and extreme property damage, an attorney can provide you with valuable advice about what kind of statements you should make to an insurance company if you're pursuing an Orange County auto accident lawsuit. The attorney may want to be present when you make statements or may handle the adjuster for you. Getting legal counsel immediately is best because you need to report the accident as soon as possible after it occurred. Some insurance policies contain clauses about reporting accidents within a certain time.

If you have questions about how an insurance company is dealing with you and how to protect your legal rights, speak with an Orange County auto accident attorney of Mosher & Skorina, P.C. today.