No one starts out their day with the intention of getting into a car accident yet hundreds of people are involved in one each day. There are very important things you should do after an accident but there are also important things not to do. Read on to learn what they are and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.
- Do Not Apologize
- Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company without First Talking to Your Attorney
- Do Not Accept a Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company
If you believe the accident was your fault, you may be tempted to apologize to others involved, or to admit that it was your fault. This is not a good idea. Taken out of context, an attorney may be able to argue that you are taking responsibility than you really are. If you believe the accident was not your fault but apologize to the party for whatever little part you had in it – or simply for their bad luck – this can be used against you as evidence of your fault.
The other party’s insurance company is going to try to talk to you without an attorney present – you should be prepared for this. They are likely to ask if they can record the conversation. They may make it sound as if you do not have a choice and are required to talk to them. You are not. They may make it sound like it is not a big deal and they just want to clear up a few things. It is a big deal and they want a lot more than to simply clear up the situation.
You can talk to the insurance company to give them your attorney’s phone number and contact information. After that, they should not contact you directly. You can trust Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas to take care of everything for you.
If there is one thing you cannot forget after a car accident, it is that the insurance company you are working with is not on your side. Even if it is your own insurance company, they are there to make money. Your insurance adjuster is there to help their company make money. They may offer a settlement and it may seem fair. They may say it is the best they can do. You should never accept this without talking to an attorney first.
When you contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we will start with a free legal consultation. We will consider all the facts of your case to determine the best way forward. If we decide to take on your case, we will do so on a contingency basis that assures you do not owe us a penny until we win your case. Call now at 909-982-0707 to get started.
