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5 mistakes to avoid when dealing with Fishers insurance companies
After an Indiana car accident, you should get a claim started with the insurance company as quickly as possible. They will send out an insurance adjuster to collect details about the car accident and to determine how much money they should pay for the accident.
As you speak with the insurance adjuster, you must remember that their most important job is to save the insurance company money. If you say the wrong thing, they could use your statement to justify a lower settlement amount.
Here are five things you should not do when talking to an insurance adjuster:
- Apologize. Apologizing is a very Hoosier thing to do after an accident. Saying sorry is usually the kind and polite thing, but saying “I’m sorry” can be construed as an admission of guilt. If you didn’t cause the accident, do not apologize.
- Lie about the accident. If the insurance adjuster finds out that you lied about the circumstances of your car accident, they will have an easy time casting doubt on your entire version of events. When you speak to the insurance company, stick to the facts and do not embellish or fill in details that you aren’t completely sure of.
- Exaggerate your injuries. Your car accident settlement should cover your medical bills. There’s no use lying about your injuries to get a higher statement: when the insurance company receives your medical bills, they will know you are lying. It is fine to just say that you are seeking medical treatment, and leave it at that.
- Give an official statement. The insurance adjuster will ask for your official statement. Do not give an official statement without legal representation present. Insurance companies know how to twist your words to justify a lower settlement offer. Your attorney, on the other hand, will know how to word your statement to avoid incrimination.
- Not consult an attorney. It is completely possible to file a claim and reach a settlement on your own. But if you are in a multi-vehicle crash, or a collision with a semi-truck or commercial vehicle, it may be harder to get the appropriate insurance information to start your claim. An Fishers personal injury lawyer can find out who the liable parties are and make the process less stressful than if you had gone it alone.
Common causes of Fishers car accidents
As a busy traffic hub for the Tri-State area, Fishers drivers must be on their guard against reckless drivers. In fact, most car accidents are preventable. Unsafe driving behaviors are responsible for 65 percent of Indiana car accidents and should be avoided at all costs.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in the US. It’s tempting to pick up your phone or give your attention to your passengers instead of the road, but your sole focus should always be on driving. It is illegal in Indiana to use your phone while driving. If you were injured in a car wreck caused by someone who was distracted by their phone, you can recover damages by filing a personal injury claim.
Speeding
It may be tempting to push the speed limit if you’re in a hurry to get to the office or if you’re late for an appointment. But the faster you drive, the longer it will take to come to a complete stop if you need to slam on the brakes.
Speeding is especially unsafe in rough weather. If snow, rain, or sleet has made the road slick, or if fog reduces visibility, it is safer to reduce your speed. Over half of speed-related collisions are caused by driving too fast for weather conditions. Keep the road safe for yourself and others by sticking to the speed limit.
Reckless Driving
Sometimes you can see a reckless driver coming from a mile away as they swerve around traffic. Other times, you may just have the bad luck of driving beside someone who decides to enter your lane without checking their mirrors first.
Unsafe driving like tailgating, passing in the wrong lane, not using turn signals, failure to yield, ignoring stop signs, and speeding is dangerous and puts everyone on the road at risk. If someone’s recklessness caused your car accident, contact an Fishers car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Driving Under the Influence
When you hear “impaired driving” your first thought is probably driving under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol slows your reflexes, blurs your vision, and hinders basic motor skills. When someone decides to drive drunk, nobody wins.
Impaired driving includes drug use, both illegal substances and prescription drugs. Drivers impaired by drugs are more likely to get into a fatal car accident. If the warning label on the side of your prescription warns against operating heavy machinery, taking it may hinder your ability to drive safely.
Drowsy Driving
Do not underestimate the danger of drowsy driving. Driving while fatigued is nearly as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Exhausted drivers may have slowed reflexes or might not notice road debris or lane changes until it is too late.
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