What to do in the Event of a Car Wreck

In most auto accidents, the “at fault” party will immediately contact his or her insurance company and then the insurance company will act to limit its’ liability or the amount it must pay to the injured.

Insurance company adjusters are specifically trained to work quickly and to lessen or attempt to lessen the insurance company’s exposure. Insurance companies want to pay the least amount possible to the injured.

All too often injured individuals attempt to navigate the claims process on their own, without an experienced personal injury attorney.

Some individuals agree to give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without being represented, giving the insurance company a way to lessen the overall claim.

Other individuals delay needed medical treatment, giving the insurance company yet another way to lessen the claim. Some of the injured individuals do not safeguard needed evidence or needed information. And some just wait too long and the entire claim is barred.

It can be critical after an auto accident to obtain certain information and evidence quickly. After an accident it can be critical to speak with witnesses and safeguard certain physical evidence. Safeguarding and preserving evidence is a must.

On a regular basis our Law Firm will receive phone calls from individuals that didn’t necessary want to get an attorney involved, but the insurance company refuses to be fair.

Unfortunately, all too often the insurance company uses the time the injured person does not have an attorney against them. Over the years we have seen some defendants or their insurance companies attempt to hide or destroy evidence. Other times the injured person has waited too long to preserve the claim.

It is a documented fact that, while injured parties and/or their families are recovering from painful personal injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one, the other side or their insurance companies are working to lessen the injured persons case or limit their liability.

The following are a few tips to help you if you have been injured in a car wreck:

• Identify witnesses. Gather all witnesses’ full names, addresses and phone numbers. After the passing of time, witnesses often disappear or are unwilling to get involved or cannot exactly recall what they saw or heard.
• Safeguard Evidence. After an accident it can be critical to safeguard certain evidence that can disappear, photos of skid marks, black box recorders in certain vehicles, etc.
• Do not talk to other side’s insurance adjustor or the insurance company’s attorney until you have spoken with our Office. Speaking to the insurance adjustor or the insurance company’s attorney may limit or prevent your right to a fair recovery. After an accident call our Office at 210-222-2288 or 800-862-1260.
• Call an attorney you know and trust and who has financial resources necessary to handle your claim. The Carabin Shaw Law Firm has helped over 32,000 clients over the last 21 years. We have the experience and resources to help you and your family.

After an accident call our Office at 210-222-2288 or 800-862-1260.

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