INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

Helpful information about your personal injury claim

When injured in a car accident, you are dealing with adjusters who do what they do for a living. You want to be cooperative and nice — you also, don’t want to be taken advantage of. There are many times that the insurance adjuster will ask you to sign documents, or ask for information, that seems reasonable. When the truth is, they are counting on you not knowing that you should not do it. The purpose of the information we are providing is to give you helpful and practical insight about what the insurance company is actually doing. We trust it will help you navigate the uncharted insurance waters you may find yourself in.

Are you wondering who the best firm is? Trying to figure out who you can trust to manage your claim?

“Heiling, Dwyer, and Fernandes are the most upstanding, trustworthy, professionals in the business. They have taken care of us and then we referred them to family who all feel the same! Specifically, Roy Fernandes, you are an amazing human and are changing the narrative for lawyers across the nation. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for caring about your clients and not just a case.” – Michele Hetrick, Client

Practical Information About Your Personal Injury Claim

#1 MISTAKE: Settling your personal injury case before you’re done treating from your car accident.

Settling your personal injury claim before you have made a full recovery is the biggest mistake you can make. Having a full recovery is what’s most important.

If the adjuster wants to settle your case before you’re done treating, simply say “I’d like to wait until I’m done treating before I settle.”

#2 MISTAKE: Delaying seeing a medical provider immediately following a car accident.

To have a full recovery as quickly as possible, don’t delay in getting medical treatment. Waiting will cause two problems. First, it slows down your recovery. Second, the adjuster will say it’s proof you weren’t really injured. Waiting to get treatment is not good for you or your claim.

#3 MISTAKE: Not following your medical provider’s advice after a car accident.

Keeping your appointments, following through with medical provider’s referrals and doing the stretches and exercises from your providers is how you make a full and quick recovery. It helps you get better quicker, and it helps your claim! Take care of your personal injury claim, by taking care of your injuries.

#4 MISTAKE: Providing a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first speaking with an attorney

Because it’s easy to make a misstatement, or give a wrong answer, when giving a recorded statement — talk to a personal injury lawyer first. They can give you good advice on how to protect yourself and give the insurance company the information they need to process your claim.

#5 MISTAKE: Signing a medical authorization release for the other driver’s insurance company

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the adjuster from the at fault insurance company often will ask for an authorization to get your medical records. They will tell you it’s needed to process your claim. Tell them you are happy to sign one, when you’re done treating. Don’t let them talk you into signing a release before you’re fully recovered.

#6 MISTAKE: Not telling your medical providers about any previous similar medical problems or issues prior to your car accident

It is critical to your recovery, and your personal injury claim, that your providers know about any similar injury, problems, or issues that you’ve had in the past — even if you made a full recovery. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it will cause problems if you let them know.

#7 MISTAKE: Posting information about your car accident on social media.

There is nothing wrong with sharing general information with your friends and family through social media. Keep your statements and comments general and not too frequent — avoid photos and videos of yourself doing activities. Adjusters will look at your social media to find photos and things you’ve said to use against you in your claim.

#8 MISTAKE: Losing track of the other driver’s contact information and photos from the car accident.

Keep a backup copy of any photos and information you have about the person who caused the collision and any witness names and phone numbers. You never know what the person who caused the collision will tell their insurance company about how the collision happened. Make sure you protect yourself!

We’ll help you determine whether you have a case and if you need an attorney. It doesn’t make sense to hire a lawyer if you don’t need one.

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