Car accidents are alarmingly common in the United States. In fact, over 6 million collisions occur each year. As a result of these collisions, over 2.4 million people sustain injuries and 35,000 are killed. If you are involved in an injury crash, it is important that you know how to act in the aftermath to protect any claim you may have for compensation from the at-fault party.
Information Is Key
In addition to knowing how to avoid collisions, knowing what to do and what not to do after an accident is also important. When you’re involved in a traffic collision, your first priority should be getting medical assistance. Before worrying about fault or damages, you need to make sure everyone involved in the accident receives the proper medical attention. Once everyone is safe, you can then focus on gathering information for a personal injury claim.
The success of a car accident claim depends on the victim’s ability to show cause and effect. When pursuing an injury claim, you want to show that the other driver was responsible for the accident (cause) and the accident was responsible for your injuries (effect). To accomplish this, you need evidence and information, including witness statements, police reports, and medical documentation. Compelling evidence is the key to convincing a jury of fault. However, you’re not the only one who’s depending on information to persuade the jury. The other driver’s insurance company will attempt to use the documentation and statements it acquires against you.
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Insurance Adjuster Requests for Information
Just as you and your lawyer will scramble to gather as much information as possible that pertains to the accident, so will the other driver’s insurance adjuster. In an attempt to prove partial fault or dispute the severity of your injury, the other driver’s insurance adjuster will request copies of medical reports that detail your injuries. In order to demand compensation for an injury, you must be able to provide proof of that injury. However, when the adjuster attempts to take advantage of you by requesting unreasonable information, you have the right to refuse.
Think Twice Before Sharing Information With the Other Driver’s Insurer
Adjusters are permitted to request medical records that specifically focus on the injuries mentioned in the claim. Unfortunately, many adjusters will also attempt to secure previous injury records that don’t directly pertain to the current claim in an attempt to find evidence of pre-existing conditions to discredit your case. Despite the urgency of the demand, do not share this information without speaking to your lawyer first.
You’re not obligated to share any medical history with an insurance adjuster that does not pertain to your accident injuries. No matter what he may say, the decision to release your records is up to you and your lawyer. Between the two of you, you need to determine if the adjuster’s request is reasonable. If you do decide to share additional records, you should still read the report beforehand and remove any irrelevant information before sending it to the adjuster.
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Get Help From GriffithLaw
For more information on how and when to file a successful injury claim, please, contact us today at 615-413-1566, toll-free at 877-959-8847, to schedule a complimentary review. You can also email us directly by filling out the contact form provided, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We’re eager to talk to you about your case and help you secure the evidence you need to prove your case without giving too much information away. Remember, insurance companies care more about winning than they do about your future. At GriffithLaw, we think you deserve better. Call now to see how we can help you build a strong and compelling injury claim.
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