Slip and fall accidents are all too common in Philadelphia on sidewalks and inside private businesses. If the owner of the property where your accident occurred failed to provide a standard duty of care that caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical bills and lost wages.
Besides simply recovering from an injury and handling your bills, there’s another problem to deal with that you may not have considered after a fall. One of the biggest hurdles to holding the at-fault party responsible for your injury is communicating with the insurance company.
A single wrong word can ruin your chances of receiving fair compensation, which is why you need to work with an experienced personal injury attorney after a slip and fall accident.
What to Say (and Not Say) to an Insurance Company After a Slip and Fall
Although insurance companies can be helpful in times of crisis, it’s important to remember that the at-fault party’s carrier is a business first and foremost. An insurance company only makes a profit if it takes in more money from premiums than it pays out in claims. That means it is in the company’s best interest to find a reason not to pay for your injury.
While an adjuster may seem to want to help you, it is that person’s job to paint the accident as your fault to avoid paying out a claim. Here’s what you need to do when talking to the negligent party’s insurance company:
- Avoid becoming argumentative. Instead, remain calm in your conversation.
- Politely refuse any request or demand to record your statement.
- Never agree to sign a medical release waiver.
- Only provide the date, time, and location where the slip and fall occurred.
- Do not offer any specifics of how or why the accident occurred.
- Give the insurance adjuster your name, address, telephone number, and place of employment, but absolutely no other personal details.
- Refer the insurance company to your lawyer for any other information of any kind.
In short, you should provide only the bare minimum of details necessary, and refer the insurance adjuster to your attorney for all other communication. Talking about the specifics of the slip and fall may give the insurance carrier the ammunition they need to delay or deny your claim.
Let Us Help You After a Slip and Fall Accident in Philadelphia
For the best chance at receiving the most compensation possible after your slip and fall injury, you need to let an experienced Philadelphia personal injury handle all communication with insurance adjusters. Were you hurt after a fall and think the owner of the property may be at fault? Get in touch for a free consultation to discuss your Pennsylvania slip and fall case.
|
Related Links: |