When you are the victim of an auto accident that was caused by someone else, it is common for the insurance company to contact you soon after the collision. Remember that insurance adjusters are employed by the insurance companies. Part of their job is to minimize the losses of their employers. Even if the insurance adjuster seems like a compassionate person, his or her loyalty lies with the insurance company. You should avoid giving any statements to the insurance adjuster or company about what happened in your accident. You should also not agree to give recorded statements or to sign documents such as medical authorizations. The insurance companies’ purpose in asking for recorded statements is to use your words against you later in your claim.

Medical authorizations allow insurance companies to dig through your medical history. They often want to do this when their insureds have caused accidents because they want to find an earlier incident on which they can blame the victims’ injuries. Finally, some insurance companies will send settlement offers to injured victims soon after the accident. You should not agree to a settlement offer without having it reviewed by one of the experienced auto accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook. These types of early offers are often unreasonably low, and if you agree to them, you will not be able to try to recover more money to compensate you for your losses beyond the amount you agreed to in the settlement.

When you are asked to give statements or sign documents, it is fine for you to politely tell the insurance company representative or adjuster that you are unwilling to do so without talking to an auto accident attorney. You should then schedule an appointment with the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook to learn more about your potential rights to recovery. Your car accident attorney will be able to assist you with valuing your claim so that you understand the range of values within which a reasonable settlement might be expected to fall. Our auto accident attorneys may then send a demand letter to the insurance company and work to negotiate a reasonable settlement amount on your behalf.