As if getting injured in a car wreck was not bad enough, turns out that your actions (or lack thereof) after the wreck could put your ability to get a nice settlement check in total jeopardy. If you think this is a good time to just sit back and let the insurance company handle every aspect of your claim, you are in for a big surprise. Read on to learn about these important issues that deserve your attention after your accident.

Since the other driver caused the wreck, I'm "good to go". Please, get a grip, insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. They are in business to make a profit from the premiums we all have to pay, and when they have to pay money out to victims like yourself, they don't like it. If you get a call from the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster with a request to give a recorded statement, don't be fooled by promises of a quick settlement offer once you do so. You should never speak to an adjuster without the help of personal injury attorney.

That other driver was so nice, I have sympathy for her (or him). Remember, your need to be compensated for the other driver's carelessness is a dollars and cents issue, not a moral one. Insurance exists to pay money damages to victims, and regardless of how sorry or upset the other driver seems to be, you should not say or do anything to jeopardize your claim. For example, do not try to minimize the accident, your injuries or the effect it has had on you just to spare their feelings. Everything you say could come back to haunt you

The accident report gives the complete picture of the accident, so I'll just sit back and wait for my big check to arrive. While the accident or police report does likely contain some important information, there is so much more to a personal injury case than the information provided in the report. In some cases, the responding officer may give an opinion as to the cause of the accident, and this can be useful information, but, unfortunately, accident reports are not admissible in court.

Darn! That accident happened months ago and now it's too late to be compensated for my damages. While all states use a rule about filing suit for personal injuries, don't make the mistake of thinking that too much time has already passed and you've lost your chance to file. Take action quickly and speak to a personal injury attorney, such as Carter & Fulton, P.S., before more time goes by. You may run the risk of exceeding the statute of limitations in your particular state.

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