Actions You Should Avoid in Order To Protect Your Case

When you contact an insurance company to report a claim, it may be the first time you have ever become part of their "claims process." Insurance Companies handle hundreds of claims every week with their goal to deny or minimize their payout. Don't make an easy mistake to help them out. Contact Webb, Stokes & Sparks for a free initial consultation and we will ensure you don't become a victim a second time.

1. Signing a Release before you are certain that you are being adequately compensated. Many people sign a release believing it is only for property damage or is simply an acknowledgment for some bills that have been paid. Later they are shocked to learn that they have released their entire claim! Never sign anything without a clear understanding of what you are signing and what rights you are signing away. It is always best to consult an attorney before making the decision to sign.

2. Failure to call a competent personal injury attorney. Virtually all Plaintiffs' attorneys (and certainly this office) are happy to confer with you and offer advice free of charge. Often there are situations that you are able to handle with some simple advice that is generally free of charge. Should you need the services of a lawyer, the cost and method of payment will be made clear to you before you incur any costs at all. Always feel free to use this resource as you can bet the insurance company has plenty of lawyers on their staff.

3. Not receiving timely medical treatment. When you are injured, it is natural to postpone medical treatment for as long as possible. Seeing a doctor is expensive and time consuming. However, when you don't see a doctor immediately the insurance company will use this as evidence that there was no injury involved. If you are injured, go to the doctor.

4. Signing an open ended medical authorization. Allowing the insurance company to search your medical history by signing an open ended medical authorization without a clear understanding of what they can and cannot look at. Your privacy and your case can be compromised by making this mistake.

5. Giving a recorded statement. When you give a recorded statement about what happened, you can be certain that the insurance adjuster will have a clear understanding of the facts and the law that controls your case and will make every effort to phrase the questions in a manner to minimize your recovery. Anything you say will be used against you later; if you mistakenly say something, the insurance company will still use it to undermine your credibility. Never give a statement without knowing as much about the law that controls your case as the insurance company does.

Contact Webb, Stokes & Sparks. We can advise you of your rights and give you an accurate assessment of the possibility of a successful lawsuit.

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