Too many people are taken advantage of by insurance companies, before they even have a chance to talk with a lawyer.  There have been recent reports of insurers trying to persuade injured people to not consult with an accident attorney.  These insurance representatives allude that lawyers are not needed when they can settle directly with them.  Unfortunately, many of these cases could have benefited from the advice of an experienced lawyer.

Maybe you don’t need a Virginia personal injury attorney to represent you in your case, but you still need to be aware of some of the tricks the insurance company will use against you.  To the insurance adjuster, you are just another case number and a file to close.

Here are some insurance tactics to watch out for:

1.    Disputing your medical treatment. You go to the doctor because you have been hurt in the Virginia car accident.  The doctor, who has gone through years of medical school, recommends a treatment plan to help you recover from your injuries.  Guess what?  The insurance adjuster, who has not earned a medical degree, may try to dispute your medical treatment.

2.   Nickel and dime your medical expenses. If the insurance company is able to lower the amount paid on medical costs for injury claims, even if it is as low as 5 percent, it could save them a ton of money each year.

3.    Delaying your claim. The insurance company is fully aware that you are experiencing financial pressure, as you have to make co-payments and deductibles.  From the insurer’s perspective, if your claim is delayed, you may be more apt to accept a lower settlement offer.

For more information regarding insurance company tricks, order Ben Glass’s book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.

If you have caused a car accident, one of the first actions you need to take is to contact your insurance company.  Your insurance company will pay for damages that resulted from the collision and will also cover the costs of an attorney.  One of the few pieces of good news following a crash is that you do not have to hire your own lawyer to defend you if any claims are filed.

All auto insurance policies require that you notify the insurer promptly of any accident or event where there is a chance that a claim could be filed against you.  You are also required to cooperate with the insurance company during its investigation and defense of the case.  In exchange, the insurer will give you access to an experienced lawyer and will even pay the additional expense of defending you if the person you hit decides to sue you.

The case of Hulk Hogan’s son, Nick Bollea, is a prime example of why you should go through your insurance company when an accident is your fault.  Bollea was the driver in an accident that led to his passenger’s serious injuries.  Hogan hired a law firm to defend his son against claims that might be brought against him.  After spending $1.5 million, Hogan sued the law firm to get his money back.

When you cause a car accident, there are a lot of hassles.  Luckily, choosing and hiring the right attorney is not one of them.

When you are injured in a Virginia car accident, your goal with your medical care should be to recover quickly, not to maximize your potential settlement.  You need to be honest with your physician and not exaggerate your accident.

It is important that you do not exaggerate the facts of your auto accident to your physician.  For example, don’t tell your doctor that the car was totaled when there was only a minor dent on the vehicle.  Your doctor may be called to testify about your injuries during the trial and it can be pretty embarrassing for him or her to find out that the damage to your vehicle was minimal.

You need to be honest when it comes to the symptoms you are experiencing following your collision.  Your case will not be stronger if you exaggerate your pain and discomfort, so there is no need to do so.  In fact, you could end up hurting your case if you play up your symptoms.  Video surveillance may show you doing activities that you claimed to your doctor that you couldn’t do.

The best thing you can do at your doctor visits is to be brutally honest.  That also means you need to give an accurate medical history, including any prior accidents or significant injuries.  The insurance company will already have this information anyway, so there is no need to hide it from your doctor.

For more information about what you should do after an accident, check out Ben Glass’s book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim, at www.TheAccidentBook.com.

Your medical provider will play a crucial role following your car accident.  When you are injured in an accident, your physician is the one who will help you obtain a quick recovery and establish your recoverable damages.  Don’t make the mistake of arranging your medical care with the intent to maximize the potential settlement value of your case.  Your focus should be on getting better, first and foremost.

You should choose the medical provider who is best suited to treat your medical condition.  The frequency of your doctor visits should be based on treating your injuries and not the belief that the more visits you have, the higher your medical bills and therefore potential settlement.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan, whether that includes physical therapy or seeing a specialist. If you don’t adhere to your doctor’s plan and it takes longer than expected to recover from your injuries, guess what?  The insurance company’s attorney will blame you.  On the same note, do not miss appointments and be sure to take your prescribed medication.  Failing to take your medication or missing appointments will give the defense lawyers great material during trial.  They will make the argument that you must not have been hurt that bad.

To find out what other mistakes can affect your accident case, visit www.TheAccidentBook.com.