Advice From an Auto Accident Attorney: Say Nothing, Sign Nothing After a Crash

After a car accident, you may be reeling and unsure of what to do. If an adjuster from the other motorist’s or your own insurance company contacts you, it’s important to understand that although they may seem concerned about your well-being, their goal is to minimize the amount of compensation the insurance company has to pay. At Moore Law Firm, our auto accident attorneys in Mobile, AL are familiar with the underhanded tactics they employ. We explain why you should never give a statement to an insurance adjuster or sign anything without first consulting a personal injury lawyer.

Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side

Unfortunately, many accident victims who speak to insurance company representatives also sign documents without fully understanding their rights. This can result in denied claims or reduced compensation. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and an insurance adjuster’s job is to find ways to shift blame and delay, devalue, or deny claims.

Don’t Let Them Use Your Statements Against You

Speaking to an insurance adjuster without consulting an auto accident attorney can leave you high and dry with no recourse for recovering damages. Alabama law follows the strict contributory negligence rule. This means that if you are found even a tiny bit at fault, you cannot recover any compensation for damages. Insurance adjusters can twist your words by asking questions designed to make you admit some degree of fault or minimize your injuries without you even knowing it.

For example, innocent statements such as answering “I’m fine” when they ask how you’re feeling can result in an insurer claiming that you aren’t seriously injured. If you do talk to an insurance company representative, the only information you should provide is your full name, address, and telephone number. Politely decline to discuss the accident or your injuries and contact a Mobile auto accident lawyer. They can evaluate your case, help you navigate your claim and handle all further communications and negotiations with insurers.

Signing Certain Documents Can Limit Your Right to Seek Compensation

It’s common for insurance companies to pressure injured victims into signing their rights away. Some important documents that they may ask you to sign include:

Medical release forms – Although it may seem innocuous, giving an insurance company access to your medical records can be detrimental to your personal injury claim. They may peruse your entire medical history and find a past injury or preexisting condition that gives them leeway to argue that your injuries from the car accident are unrelated. If they ask you to sign a medical release form, politely decline and refer them to your auto accident attorney.

Waiver of liability – When you sign a release of liability form, you are giving up your right to sue an at-fault driver or their insurance company for further compensation related to a crash. A waiver of liability typically accompanies a proposed settlement offer, which is usually much too low on the first go-around.

Insurance companies intentionally make verbiage in policies, settlement agreements, and other documents difficult to understand by using legal jargon that is unfamiliar to most people. To protect your rights, never sign any document from an insurer without having a car accident attorney review it first.

The Full Extent of Your Injuries May Not Be Apparent

After an accident, symptoms of certain injuries may not be apparent for days or weeks. Neck and back injuries, traumatic brain injury, and other serious conditions may lead to chronic pain and require extensive, long-term medical treatment, surgery, medications, and therapies. If you tell an insurance adjuster you feel fine or accept a settlement too soon, you may be stuck with piles of medical bills and other expenses that have a significant impact on your physical, emotional, and financial health.

What NOT To Say at The Scene Of An Auto Accident in Alabama

After an accident, saying “I’m sorry” is a knee-jerk reaction for many people who care about others. Don’t apologize or say “it was my fault” to anyone at the scene, including witnesses or police. If these statements show up in police reports or witness testimony, it can result in the insurer assigning liability to you and denying your auto accident claim.

Remain calm, call 911 and check to see whether anyone else is hurt. It’s fine to exchange insurance and contact information but not necessary to talk about anything else. Take photos, jot down notes about the incident and be honest, accurate and factual when you speak to police.

How Our Mobile Auto Accident Lawyers Can Help

Insurance adjusters may try to discourage you from hiring an attorney by claiming they can settle your claim faster without an auto accident lawyer. Don’t listen to them. Injured victims who hire personal injury lawyers usually receive significantly higher settlements and awards than those who go it alone. Our auto accident attorneys give you the best chance of winning your case and recovering the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive. Insurers know that we prevent them from taking advantage of you and fight tirelessly to help you get the fair compensation you deserve.

Our team has a proven track record of success and has helped more than 15,000 personal injury victims in Alabama over the past 40 years. Our Mobile accident attorneys work on contingency, which means you won’t incur any up-front costs and we only get paid if we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free, so let us evaluate your case and ensure your rights are protected before dealing with insurers or accepting a settlement.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Mobile, AL

At Moore Law Firm, we care about our clients and their families and are dedicated to providing tenacious legal representation you can trust. Call us at 251-445-7602, contact us, or use the convenient chat feature on our website to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an auto accident attorney in Mobile, AL today.