Do I Have to Talk to the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?

Seeking compensation after a North Carolina car accident can be exhausting. Soon after the accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may begin contacting you and asking for a statement. Determining what to say and which documents to give to the insurance company can be stressful. If you have suffered injuries in a car accident, you are probably worried about how you will receive compensation to pay your normal bills as well as what are likely large debts from emergency and ongoing medical care.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we have successfully represented many clients. We understand the ins and outs of how insurance companies process claims. We use this information to help our clients receive the highest possible amounts in their insurance claims. If you are unsure about what to say to the at-fault driver’s insurance company after an accident, we can help. Contact our Charlotte car accident law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Car insurance companies typically ask injured drivers or passengers for as much detail as possible. Many insurance companies begin calling the injured party soon after the accident, requesting a detailed statement. It is wise to speak to skilled personal injury law attorneys before giving a statement to the other driver’s insurance company. In the shock of the car accident, you might give the insurance company inaccurate or ambiguous information that could harm your claim down the road.

One of the attorneys at Arnold & Smith PLLC can advise you as to what to tell the at-fault driver’s insurance company. We can also help you craft a statement to give to the insurance company that accurately portrays what happened before, during, and after the car accident. The goal of seeking car accident compensation is to provide enough information to preserve your chances of receiving the maximum possible compensation.

Seeking compensation from a car insurance company after a car accident can quickly become complicated. Many times, seeking compensation will involve the following:

• A thorough investigation of the facts surrounding the car accident
• Legal research into relevant North Carolina personal injury and car insurance laws
• Gathering of police records and witness testimony
• Deposing witnesses to the accident

Many insurance companies in North Carolina will deny a driver’s claim if the driver is at fault. For example, if the insured drove while intoxicated, he or she is likely mostly at fault for the accident. However, if the driver seeking compensation was distracted while driving and his or her negligence contributed to the accident, the insurance company may deny the claim. Further, if the cars did not actually make contact with one another, the insurance company may deny the injured person’s claim to compensation.

Submitting an accurate and thorough claim is vital to receiving compensation. If you need assistance submitting a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, we can help. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we have also successfully helped many clients appeal the denial of insurance claims.

If the insurance company denies your claim, you still have options. You may be able to go through an arbitration process, depending on the terms of the insurance contract. You may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. To succeed in a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove that the other driver’s negligence or recklessness caused your injuries.

Proving fault in a motor vehicle accident is not always a straightforward process. Our legal team conducts a thorough investigation on behalf of our clients. We look at the police report, photos from the accident, witness testimony, and any available video recordings. Our familiarity with the rules of evidence and North Carolina trial court procedures helps us skillfully defend our clients.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC our attorneys have years of experience successfully representing car accident victims. After a thorough investigation of the facts of your case, we will help you determine the best avenue for compensation. We understand that every client is unique and has individual needs and goals. We listen carefully to our clients and tailor our advice to their needs. Click here to contact our North Carolina personal injury law firm today, or call 704.370.2828 to schedule your free initial consultation. Now accepting cases across the great state of North Carolina and offering three convenient office locations in Charlotte, Lake Norman and Monroe.