At the scene of the car accident, the first step is to exchange insurance information. But, should you call the insurance company from the scene of the accident, when you get home, or after you have spoken to an attorney?
The short answer is that you can, and should, contact a car accident attorney in Tampa as soon as possible, before contacting the insurance company. An experienced car accident lawyer with Inkelaar Law will explain your rights and guide you in the next steps after you have been in an accident.
After an accident, especially if you have been injured, you may want to call an attorney but think that you should call your insurance company first. However, there are several reasons that you should reach out to a car accident lawyer in Tampa after you have spoken to the police and are in a safe location. Remember, there is plenty of time to talk to the insurance company, and to get your ducks in a row.
After an accident, you will likely feel very shaken and upset. This is normal, and during this vulnerable time the insurance company may try to take advantage and ask you for a statement on the accident. You might make a statement in good faith, but later remember a detail you initially said wrong or may discover new damages that you didn’t notice before. This seems innocent enough, but the insurance company may later use this against you — even if they say that you can amend your initial statement.
Rather than create undue stress trying to recant every detail to a party who does not have your best interest at heart, your attorney can help you recall important details to write down before you give your statement, ultimately protecting you in the long run.
When you are in an accident, you will likely have a high amount of adrenaline in your body. This might prevent you from realizing the severity of your injuries, or that you are even injured at all. Sometimes, you might not realize that you are injured until days later — especially in the case of soft tissue injuries like muscle strain and neck pain (whiplash).
These are serious injuries, but if you have already spoken to the insurance company, they may be unwilling to admit that the injuries were caused by the accident. The insurance company may not pay out on a claim for your personal injuries because they were not initially reported, or they may try to make you see a doctor of their choosing. However, a car accident lawyer in Tampa with Inkelaar Law can help you find a doctor who can verify your injuries and will discuss the best way to proceed if you have injuries that appear later on.
The insurance company may seem friendly and their employees may be very empathetic, but their goal is to pay you as little as possible for your claim. They might make you jump through hoops, going to their preferred body shops or doctors, continually requesting forms to be signed. This can get incredibly frustrating.
However, when you contact an attorney before you reach out to the insurance company, the legal team can take care of these small details for you. The legal team will also be able to advise you before you accept any settlement or assistance from the insurance company.
Before you contact the insurance company, contact a car accident attorney in Tampa with Inkelaar Law. You will learn what options you have and how Inkelaar Law can make the process as easy as possible, no matter how serious the accident. Our legal team will help you contact the insurance company, advise you before giving a statement, understand your injuries, and smooth out the details – big and small.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, please give us a call for free consultation at (813) 722-0622, or submit our consultation request form.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
