Accidents Happen But Dont Be a Fool

Imagine you are driving on one of the major highways in Orlando, Florida and then you are rear ended by a vehicle. With little to no time to react, your car spins out of control and goes off the highway, but fortunately you were wearing your seatbelt and avoided getting yourself killed.
The Florida Highway Patrol came to the scene to investigate the cause of the accident. They conclude that the other driver was at fault and give him a ticket. The emergency medical technicians begin to check your injuries and suggest that you go to the hospital emergency room. You arrive to one of the nearby hospitals where you have x-rays and are told you are suffering from neck and back sprain.
Now the at fault drivers insurance company is calling you because you need a rental car. This insurance company is being sweet, kind, and seem like they are your best friend. They start to tell you that even though their insured driver is at fault they still want to take a recorded statement for their records.
NOT SO FAST!
By law you are not required to give a recorded statement and you would be foolish to do so. In fact, you are not required to give the other insurance company or at fault party any information whatsoever.
WHY?
You do not have a contractual relationship with the other drivers insurance company. Giving the other partys insurance company all the information they want can possibly be used against you later.
HOW?
Here are some different scenarios:
1. You tell the insurance company on the day of the accident that you are not hurt and have sustained no injuries. This information can hurt you later when, like in most car accidents, you dont feel any pain until the next day. When you decide to let the at fault drivers insurance company know of the change of your condition they deny your claim. After all, in your recorded statement you told them that you hadnt sustained any injuries and now they say you are lying.
2. You give the insurance company a full description the day of the accident, recounting all the details you can remember. However, you may forget factors such as distance, speed or other crucial facts related to the accident, due to the trauma of the collision. If the next day you remember any of those facts and try to supplement your previous statement the other drivers insurance company again can deny your claim!
3. You tell the insurance company that you were not wearing a seatbelt. Now that you told them, you cant go back. If you had consulted an attorney first then the insurance company would not have this information to use against you in denying your claim. If there are any monetary claims, an experienced attorney could weed out a certain percentage due to the fact that you were not wearing your seatbelt, while still getting you the compensation you justly deserve.
Dont let yourself be fooled by the insurance companies. Their goal is to minimize what they pay out to you. They are not in the business to be fair.
Choosing someone to represent you is a crucial decision. Find someone who is compassionate, aggressive, and one that will go the distance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Umansky Law
Article provided by the Umansky Law Firm. Our Orlando personal injury lawyers know how to obtain results for clients who have been injured by the negligence of another person or company.