CALL 916-777-7777
Youtube Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in

Importance of Being Honest and Consistent in Statements After a Car Crash

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
talking to insurance company after car crashBe honest and consistent with statements you make about an accident and your injuries, whether you are talking to insurance companies, the police, or your attorney. Failure to do this may result in a devalued or denied insurance claim.

How Dishonesty Could Hurt Your Claim

Accident victims may be tempted to exaggerate the severity of their injuries, hoping to get more money from the insurance company. They also may not trust insurance companies to provide fair compensation and think overstating injuries may improve their chances of increasing a settlement offer. However, the opposite may occur. Exaggerations damage your credibility and could be used as grounds for denying your claim or offering a lower settlement. The insurance company will thoroughly investigate your claim and will likely discover if you are lying or exaggerating. Insurance companies are known to hire private investigators to follow accident victims with the intent of finding evidence to discredit them. Your daily actions should also line up with statements you make about your injuries. For example, pictures or status updates that you post on social media could contradict your claims about the seriousness of your injuries. Insurance companies may use your personal pictures against you if you appear to be engaged in physical activities that are inconsistent with your injuries and limitations recommended by your doctors.

How to be Consistent

When discussing the accident, use clear, simple language. If you are unsure about anything, discuss it with a lawyer first. He or she can explain how to present information in a way that helps protect your credibility. One way to prevent inconsistencies in your statements to insurers is to limit what you tell them. Simply report basic facts about the crash, such as when and where it happened. You can tell the insurance company to direct any future inquiries to your attorney. He or she will communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to defend the full value of your claim. Sharing more information than is required gives insurance adjusters the opportunity to trick you into saying something that diminishes the value of your claim. Having multiple conversations with the insurance company, without your Sacramento car accident attorney present, increases the chance of providing details that could be interpreted as inconsistent with your previous statements.

Consult with a Legal Professional Today

If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident, honesty and consistency could be the difference in whether you obtain fair financial compensation. Speaking with a licensed attorney promptly could help preserve your claim and obtain the maximum compensation available. Contact us for an evaluation of your car accident claim. You will have an opportunity to discuss the details of your claim and ask your legal questions. We only receive payment if we obtain compensation for your claim. You will not be required to hire our firm, so there is no risk to you. Our firm has protected the rights of injury victims in California for over four decades. We know how to hold at-fault parties liable for damages and obtain fair compensation for injured victims.

Call the Arnold Law Firm today at (916) 777-7777.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.