If you were in a motorbike accident caused by someone else’s negligence, their insurance company is likely to contact you. It may appear that because you are not at fault, there is no reason not to speak with them freely. The reality is much different. Continue reading to discover important things to consider, and then call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas for a free legal consultation at 909-982-0707 to speak with a personal injury attorney.
Without the assistance of an attorney, do not speak with the insurance company
This is how it works: Yes, you must report an accident to your insurance company, but you are under no legal duty to speak with or cooperate with the insurance company of the other motorist. It’s never in your best interests to do so; instead, politely refuse their calls and send them to your attorney.
Do not consent to your call being recorded
If you speak with an insurance agent, they may request that your statement be recorded. Your response should be a resounding no. They may just inform you that your call will be recorded without mentioning that you have the choice to opt out. If the call is being recorded, decline to talk with them. Say no politely and don’t say anything further until they agree to turn off the recording.
An insurance adjuster’s job is to aggressively negotiate
You’ll almost certainly come into an insurance adjuster who claims to be “on your side” or who claims that all they want is to get the claim handled fairly and swiftly. Remember that they are working on behalf of the corporation for which they work, and they want to keep your settlement as low as possible. Whatever they say, bear in mind that they are there to keep expenses down, not to provide you with the greatest possible settlement.
You should never accept the first settlement offer that comes your way
Regardless of the circumstances of your case, there is a significant likelihood that you will not be granted the greatest possible settlement straight away. The fact is that the insurance company wants to pay as little as possible, which will be reflected in their initial settlement. They may pretend that the offer is only available for a short period in order to compel you to sign it immediately away. Do not succumb to pressure. Before making a decision, consult with an attorney.
If you sign anything, you could regret it afterwards
Many people are unaware that by signing certain agreements, they are giving up their ability to pursue future legal action. The last thing you want is to take a one-time payment thinking it’s just the beginning, only to find out it’s the whole settlement since you signed away your right to pursue future legal action.
