Tips for Dealing With Insurance Companies

North Carolina Auto Accident Attorneys

The most important thing to remember is that the insurance company is not on your side. Their goal is to resolve your claim quickly and with as little expense to them as possible. This means they may try everything they can to strip you of your rights to compensation or convince you to accept a lump sum amount that is significantly lower than what you could receive with the help of an attorney. If you have recently been injured or involved in an auto accident in North Carolina, here are some tips you should follow for dealing with the insurance company.

Be wary of any insurance adjusters who try to contact you. An insurance adjuster from the at-fault party's insurance company will likely contact you soon after the accident. They may try to interview you by coming to your home or workplace unannounced, and they may try to pressure you into signing some sort of release.
If you get asked to do a recorded interview, be very careful. Many claimants are tricked by the adjuster's questions into making statements that hurt their claims. There is a legal doctrine in North Carolina called Contributory Negligence. Under the terms of this doctrine, even if you are only slightly at fault for the accident you will not be entitled to any sort of recovery from the responsible party.
Be careful if an adjuster comes to your home or office with a check and a release form trying to get you to settle your claim right then and there. The insurance adjuster is essentially asking you to sign your rights away to future recovery for a sum that is often much less than your claim is actually worth. This is especially important if you have suffered a serious or permanent injury, as any amount the insurance company is offering will not be enough to cover the long-term costs associated with caring for your injury. Even though the offer may seem tempting, if you sign a release you will not be able to receive compensation for any injuries you happen to discover later on.
Do not believe an insurance adjuster who claims he or she is there to help you. Remember that adjusters work for insurance companies whose primary goal is to make money by collecting premiums while keeping claims payments as low as possible.

How a North Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you have been injured or involved in an auto accident in North Carolina, you can trust Lanier Law Group to help protect your rights and best interests against insurance companies. We can assist you in preparing your legal paperwork and help you obtain your medical records and bills that need to be submitted to the insurance company. In addition, we can also provide you with advice and guidance, and make sure you do not sign your rights away. Let us use our extensive experience, skills, and resources in these matters to help you file your claim and seek to recover damages.

To learn more, please contact a North Carolina auto accident attorney at Lanier Law Group today.