When Do I Need to Get an Attorney After a Car Accident?

Car insurance companies have a reputation for using tactics to intimidate or convince injured accident victims to settle claims that are not in their best interests. But Dordulian Law Group’s (DLG) team of attorneys in our top-rated Car Accident Division has seen these tactics for decades. We understand how insurance companies work and are prepared to fight for our clients’ rights and to receive the maximum amount of damages awarded to cover all losses – both economic and not-economic.

Insurance companies can use a variety of tactics to intimidate injured victims:

• Using Evidence Against You: An insurance representative might contact you and seem sympathetic initially. They then may request that you give a recorded statement of the events surrounding the accident. But these professionals are trained to ask questions in a way that favors them, not you. Once you have “gone on record,” all information that you provide can be used to your detriment in order to lower the payout or influence a claim in the favor of the insurer. It can be difficult to reverse damage caused by a recorded statement (which is what the insurance company wants).
• Trying to Rush an Unfair Settlement Offer: Insurance companies may try to pressure you into accepting a settlement offer before you have had the chance to assess your injuries. A claims adjuster will often call a victim of a car crash shortly after the accident. The standard offer may include “We will cover all of your medical expenses and throw in $750 to compensate for your pain and suffering.” Unfortunately, however, many injured people regret accepting such an offer and signing the release. What happens if you have health problems a few months after signing the release? You may not be able to recover damages if you didn’t hire an attorney. In California, releases can be written with binding language, making it nearly impossible to recover damages you may not have anticipated. In these cases, the victims may be liable for thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.
• Discouraging You From Receiving Much-Needed Medical Treatment: Insurance companies often play a game where they discourage medical treatment by claiming that it is not covered. They then may use this instruction to punish car accident victims that comply. Insurance companies may encourage you to postpone medical treatment until “confirming liability ” or “approving coverage ,” implying that you could be responsible for any additional costs. You may be told that they are “gathering more information” and you should delay certain treatments. When you delay medical treatment on the advice of your insurance company, they can use that against you by saying, “If you really were hurt, why waited so long to see a doctor?” Unfortunately, many car accident victims are harmed by this tactic. Injured victims may put their health in danger and could then are left with the bill when their insurance company denies the claim because they followed the advice provided. An experienced personal injury lawyer from DLG will fight for you to receive the medical treatment you need without worrying about the cost.