Although insurance companies in Georgia would like you to believe otherwise, they ultimately care most about one thing: money. More specifically, they do not like to pay out much money on slip and fall accident claims. So, if an insurance company is calling you after your slip and fall accident, you should probably contact a Georgia slip and fall accident lawyer before taking their call.
Below, we’ll cover why insurance companies are quick to call you after an accident and what you should do in response.
Why Is an Insurance Company Calling Me So Soon After My Slip and Fall Accident?
If you were hurt during a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property in Georgia, they may be liable for your damages. To seek compensation for your damages, you’ll need to file a personal injury claim with the property owner’s insurance company. This is the insurance company that may call you after your accident.
The main reason an insurance company calls you after an injury accident is to try and expedite your case. Unfortunately, it’s not with good intentions towards you. Insurance adjusters know that it can take a lot of time for you to know the full extent of your damages from the slip and fall accident—and they know most victims are not aware of this.
If the insurance adjuster can get you on the phone soon after your accident, they know that you:
- Are probably not experienced in how to handle the insurance process
- Might agree to a lowball settlement out of desperation for money to pay your bills
- May not know the full value of your case (which is going to be way higher than the lowball settlement they’ll offer)
- Will not be able to seek further money from them if you accept a settlement, which will close your case
The insurance company might ask how you are doing, appearing to care about your well-being. In reality, they are hoping you’ll say “okay” or “fine” out of politeness so they can use it against you later. They might also try to downplay your injuries or make you believe the first offer is the best you’re going to get (which is not true at all).
The insurer might also look for ways to blame you for the accident, which could legally reduce your chance at full compensation (according to Georgia Code § 51-12-33).
Get the strong arm
What Are the Risks of Talking to the Insurance Company Too Soon?
Talking to the insurance company right after your accident means you could accept a settlement before you know the full value of your case. This would prevent you from seeking any further compensation, leaving you to foot the bill for further medical costs, lost wages, and more. You might also say something that could be used against you later, even if you are careful.
For the above reasons and more, it’s really best to have a Georgia slip and fall accident lawyer on your side before talking to the insurance company at all. An experienced lawyer will know exactly how to handle the insurance company. They can even communicate and negotiate with them on your behalf so you don’t have to stress about it.
What Should I Do if the Insurance Company Calls Me After My Accident?
You should be very wary of speaking with the insurance company at all after your accident. It’s really best to not take their call at all until you have hired a Georgia slip and fall accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters are very skilled at looking for ways to get information out of you that could be used against you in your case, and it’s not worth the risk.
If you do end up talking to the insurance company, be careful that you:
- DO NOT admit any fault for the accident
- DO NOT give any recorded statements and
- DO NOT sign anything or accept any money
The best thing you can tell them is that all communication should go through your attorney, then give them your attorney’s contact information.
You can reach out to us for help now after a:
- Jason’s Deli slip and fall injury
- Logan’s Roadhouse slip and fall injury
- Noodles and Company slip and fall injury
- Buffalo Wild Wings slip and fall injury
- Family Dollar slip and fall injury
We also handle slip and fall accident cases that occur at other businesses in Georgia.
Talk to a Georgia Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we can protect your legal rights and make sure the insurance company does not take advantage of you. We’ve been helping slip and fall accident victims win the compensation they need for 20 plus years—and we’re here to help you, too.
Contact us today to get a FREE consultation and case evaluation. We’ll go over the details of your case and how we can help.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
