In many cases, the aftermath of a car accident can be more frustrating than the crash itself. You may be well aware that someone else's negligence caused your crash. The driver who hit you may have been speeding, driving distracted, or driving recklessly.
The most frustrating part of pursuing a car accident claim is knowing that you need money to cover medical expenses, time away from work, car damage, property damage, and other damages accrued from your crash. Yet, the insurance company that represents the at-fault driver is reluctant to pay you, despite any evidence proving you weren't at fault.
Why should I avoid speaking to the at-fault drivers' insurance company?
Let's get one thing straight: insurance companies are not interested in compensating you. They care more about cutting their own costs. In far too many cases, people who are injured by reckless drivers end up having to pay out-of-pocket because they made the mistake of speaking to the at-fault driver's insurance company. Here's why:
- Your word can hurt your claim. Insurance companies will often come across as nice when they first contact you. That's only because they want you to talk. They want you to unknowingly admit to fault. They can accomplish this by asking trick questions. Your phone call with an insurance company rep will be recorded. Once you say the wrong thing, it can be used to downplay or deny your claim.
- Insurance companies are good at shifting the blame. No insurance company will admit that the driver they represent was at fault for causing your crash. Instead, the insurance company may try to argue that nobody was at fault. They may blame the weather or the road conditions. If you say the wrong thing when first contacted, the insurance company may argue that you were at fault.
- You could end up with a small settlement. If the insurance company can't argue that you were at fault, they may offer you a small claim that may sound too good to be true. You should never accept a settlement from an insurance company. That's because you need an attorney to first place an accurate value on your claim. If you take a settlement from an insurance company, it will not cover the full cost of your medical bills, wage loss, car damage, or other damages.
Consult with a New Mexico car accident attorney first
The only insurance company you should ever talk to is your own when reporting your crash. Even then, you should only stick to the basic details. Other than that, you are not required to speak to the other driver's insurance company.
Instead, let an experienced New Mexico car accident attorney do the talking and negotiating for you. Contact Szantho Law Firm to get started on your claim. Our case evaluations are confidential and free of charge.