In this edition of “60 seconds with Levinson and Stefani,” Ken talks the importance of contacting a lawyer before speaking to an insurance company representative. As we’ve talked about before, insurance companies are loath to part with their money. One of the ways they can avoid doling out settlement checks is by taking advantage of what you may not necessarily know.
In the days after a crash, odds are you’re going to receive a phone call from an insurance rep, and it’s probably not a call you’re prepared to take. Why? Because no matter how nice the rep sounds on the other line, they’re banking on innocent missteps to protect their company from further liability. It’s a tactic as old as time. Unfortunately, it’s a tactic that keeps working.
How do they do it? There are any number of ways insurance companies may try to employ said tactics, the end goal of which is to lock you in a statement that could come back to haunt you during a potential trial. They may ask tricky questions about your driving habits, or if you were on the phone while you were driving, for example. They could ask about your health history and what types of medication you take. If you’re willing to answer, they’re willing to put it on the record.
As Ken states, a lawyer should be one of your first calls in the aftermath of a crash to help you avoid these types of situations. A lawyer can also advise you on the proper course of action and protect your legal rights. Contacting a lawyer immediately will save you time, money and, ultimately, lots of anxiety.