How to deal with the Insurance companies
What not to say :
After being injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence in North Carolina, you can expect the at-fault party's insurance company to reach out to you quickly. Their goal is to limit their financial liability, so they will try to get you to make statements that could damage your personal injury claim.
That's why it's critical to avoid speaking directly with the insurance company and instead let an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney handle all communications on your behalf. Here are some key things you should not say to the insurance adjuster:
"Were you hurt?" - This is an attempt to limit your ability to claim future or ongoing medical expenses, even if the full extent of your injuries is not yet known.
"Is your car drivable?" - Even if your vehicle appears minimally damaged, there could be unseen issues that will result in further problems. Avoid speculating about the extent of the property damage.
"What caused the accident?" - North Carolina follows a "contributory negligence" rule, which means if you are found even 1% responsible for the accident, you could be barred from recovering any compensation. Let your lawyer deal with the insurance company to protect your rights.
Giving any of these types of statements to the insurance company can severely jeopardize your North Carolina personal injury case. Your best course of action is to politely refuse to speak with them and direct all inquiries to your North Carolina personal injury attorney.
Specifically, insurance companies will ask :