Questions & Answers about Dealing with the Insurance Company

What should I do if another person’s insurance company calls to talk to me?

After an accident, you may be contacted by insurance companies that want to talk to you about what happened. These first conversations can have a lot of bearing on your claim—including how large or small your settlement may be—so follow these simple steps:

• Be calm and polite
• Ask for the name of the person you are speaking with, as well as what company they work
• Don’t give out a lot of personal information—your name, address and phone number should be enough
• Do not discuss the accident or your injuries in detail until you’ve had a chance to talk with your lawyer

Follow these rules and you increase your chances of receiving a reasonable settlement for your claim.

How do insurance companies decide the amount they’ll pay for injury compensation?

The final payment figure depends on negotiations between the insurance company and the injured person and his attorney. However, if you've been injured, you can usually expect to be reimbursed for:

• Medical care
• Lost income from missing work
• Temporary and permanent pain and other physical discomfort and disability
• Out of pocket costs associated with an accident, such as transportation to doctor’s appointments
• Pain & suffering and general damages or non-economic damages

How much you will receive is difficult to estimate without an in depth review of your situation. It is suggested that you don’t settle until your doctor is confident you have recovered as completely as possible or can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and prognosis.

If your car is not damaged, can the insurance company refuse to pay your medical bills?

While insurance companies may often try to draw a direct connection between the amount of property damage and the degree of personal injury suspected, the truth is the human body just doesn’t work that way. It is common for people to suffer very significant injuries with minimal impact, just like it is possible for someone to escape a major accident with only minor cuts and scratches.

Should you provide a statement to an insurance company without help from an attorney?

The worse your injuries are, the more you should consider consulting an attorney before speaking with an insurance company. Often if you don’t have legal representation, the facts and circumstances surrounding the case can be misunderstood, which can come back to haunt you. Attorneys have the expertise and knowledge to guide you through the process, as well as communicate on your behalf to the insurance companies, working to ensure you get the settlement you deserve. Insurance companies can and do take advantage of the things they hope you may not understand.

If you have any other questions about insurance companies or what you should do when you’re in an auto accident, call the professionals at McCoy and Sparks today!