When you’re injured, the last things you want to deal with are the complications of a lawsuit. To protect yourself and your rights, talk to a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina who knows exactly how to help you. Additionally, be sure to keep these simple and vital steps in mind throughout the process so that you are treated fairly and receive the compensation you deserve.
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 Lawyer
Before you come to any agreements, make sure you talk to a personal injury lawyer 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.
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. A lawyer 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. Contact your personal injury lawyer today to learn more about what you can do.
