When you’re injured, the last things you want to deal with are the complications of an injury lawsuit. To protect yourself and your rights, talk to a personal injury attorney in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who knows exactly how to help you. They’ll help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on recovery.
As you and your lawyer navigate the claims process together, here are some important tips to keep in mind that will make things a bit smoother.
First Things First: Identify the Other Party
When you are speaking with the party responsible for your injury, try to stay calm and focus on gathering the necessary information. Make sure you get their name, phone number, address and insurance company details. Write this down clearly and keep it in a safe place.
Find a Personal Injury Attorney in Winston-Salem
After a car accident, make sure you talk to a personal injury attorney in Winston-Salem who thoroughly understands the laws and can ensure you receive appropriate payment. It’s important that you say as little as possible when you’re discussing your injuries with the other party’s insurance company. A lawyer can assure you what details you should give to the insurance company and what you should withhold. In many cases, your attorney will communicate directly with insurance companies on your behalf so that you don’t have to.
Unless You’re Talking to Your Lawyer, Stay Vague
Again, when you’re contacting the insurance company, be careful not to give them too much information about yourself or the accident. Remember this: All they really need from you is your full name, phone number and address. You do not need to tell them about your injuries, job, finances or anything else they might try to ask you.
Your injuries will be detailed in a written demand for compensation that comes later and that you should review with your lawyer. It might turn out that an injury is more serious than you originally thought, so it is essential that you understand the full extent of the injuries before you provide a detailed description of them to the insurance company.
When you are speaking to your own insurance company, you might be required to give more details regarding the accident, but when you are talking to the other party’s insurance company, only give them the basics. Let them know when and where the accident occurred and what kind of accident it was. If they ask for more information than that, talk to your lawyer before you give them any answers.
Take Notes, But Don’t Sign Anything!
Make sure you record the times, dates and details of your conversations with the other party’s insurance company. This will help you significantly when you are recalling what was told to you.
If you are sent any papers or forms by the insurance company, be sure not to sign them. Your attorney will help you sort through paperwork and make sure you don’t give the insurance company any rights they shouldn’t have to your personal information. It’s important that you stay vigilant to protect yourself, as it’s not uncommon for companies to disguise releases giving them access to your information as routine procedures.
A Personal Injury Attorney in Winston-Salem Can Advocate for You
If you’re suffering from car accident injuries, you don’t have to go through the claims process by yourself. A skilled personal injury attorney in Winston-Salem can handle gathering evidence, building your case, and negotiating your settlement while you focus on getting well. The team at Lewis & Keller is experienced in handling a wide variety of car accident claims in North Carolina. Contact us for a free case evaluation to learn how we can help you.
