insurance claim

What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster?

When talking to an insurance adjuster, it’s essential that you remember that insurance companies are not on your side. Insurance providers are for-profit businesses, and their ability to make profits depends on paying the least amount possible for each and every claim.  Whether you are dealing with your own insurer or another driver’s, no one you talk to at an insurance company is trying to help you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UKRbFprB0E How do you answer an insurance adjuster's questions? If you have hired a personal injury lawyer to represent you, your attorney will handle communications with the insurance company. If you do not have a lawyer, you should agree to give the claims adjuster the information they need to process your claim, but make sure you always refuse to give a recorded statement.  Here are a few tips for answering an insurance adjuster’s questions: Review the accident report before answering any questionsClearly explain the facts that prove the other driver was responsible for the accidentDo not provide any unnecessary informationTell the adjuster all of the injuries you suffered in the accident, including minor injuries such as bruises, headaches, and a stiff neck What do insurance adjusters look for? Insurance adjusters are always looking…

What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents can be scary and disorienting. Unfortunately, making the wrong choices immediately after a car accident can prevent you from receiving fair compensation for your injuries. If you follow the steps in this guide you can ensure that you protect yourself and your right to recovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZp4WV2fZ1k What do I do after a car accident? There are several steps you should take after any car accident: File a Police Report No matter how insignificant the accident might seem, you should always call the police to file an incident report. A police determination of fault is usually persuasive to insurance adjusters and having a police report on file can help avoid situations where the only evidence is your testimony. Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.026, you are legally required to immediately inform law enforcement if you are involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in any of the following: Injury to a personDeath of a personDamage to a vehicle to the extent that it cannot be normally and safely driven Photograph the Scene After contacting the police, you should take photos of the vehicles involved in the crash from every angle — as well as close-up and far away…

The Ultimate Guide to Garbage Truck Accidents

While they often go unnoticed, garbage trucks are a part of our everyday lives. No matter where you live, work or play, a garbage truck could be just around the corner at any time.  Unfortunately, because of their size and limited visibility, when garbage trucks are involved in accidents with cars, motorcycles, or pedestrians, they can be deadly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFHMs9cO70M What is considered a garbage truck accident? A garbage truck, sometimes called a waste collection vehicle (WCV), is a truck designed specifically to pick up waste and dispose of it in landfills or treatment facilities. Any crash where a garbage truck collides with another vehicle is considered a garbage truck accident.  Many of the alleys and streets that garbage trucks must service require them to back up once the trash is loaded. Unfortunately, many garbage trucks aren’t equipped with backup cameras, limiting their visibility and increasing the likelihood that garbage truck drivers will hit cars or people in their blind spots. Garbage truck blind spots are even larger than for other vehicles because of the loading arms that can obstruct a driver’s view.  The loads that garbage trucks carry also increase the danger they pose. Some trash will contain flammable or…

Is a Headache Normal After a Car Accident?

Suffering a headache after a car accident is normal. However, the fact that it is common does not mean there is no reason to be concerned. Headaches after a car accident can be a symptom of a much more serious underlying condition. If you start to experience headaches after being involved in a motor vehicle crash, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EF82H16eCo Is a headache normal after a car accident? Yes, headaches are frequently reported by car accident victims.  Even among those who are involved in relatively minor, low-impact accidents. Headaches can start immediately after the accident, or they can take several days to appear. Symptoms may include: A dull, achy head painA feeling of tightness or pressure across your forehead or the sides and back of your headScalp, neck, or shoulder tendernessLoss of appetite Neurologists typically refer to headaches caused by car accidents as “post-traumatic” headaches. Common types of post-traumatic headaches among car accident victims include: Post-concussive headachesMusculoskeletal headachesVascular headachesTension headachesCluster headachesMigrainesMuscle-contractions/spasmsChronic facial pain Nerve dysfunction Occipital neuralgia What if I have a constant headache after a car accident? It is also common for victims to suffer a constant headache after a car accident. These ongoing headaches…

How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it can be challenging to get the compensation you deserve. In some situations, you may even need to file a lawsuit to be reimbursed for the financial and physical harm you have suffered from the accident. Can I sue someone for a car accident? Yes, you can sue someone for a car accident if you were injured by their negligence, which means they acted with complete disregard for how their actions will affect others. When it comes to driving, negligent activities can include speeding, failing to yield, swerving in traffic, and any other careless driving behaviors that cause an accident. To sue a driver for negligence, you or your lawyer must prove that the other driver’s conduct violated a legal duty to drive carefully, and their behavior caused injuries and/or damage to you or your property.  How much can someone sue for a car accident? When you sue someone for a car accident, the amount of money you recover is called “damages.” Examples of factors that can impact the amount of damages you can receive include: The severity and types of injuries sufferedAny permanent effects or disfigurement from the injuriesThe severity of…

The Houston Guide to Construction Accidents

Houston construction accidents are more common than you might think. Construction is one of the largest industries in the United States, and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is also one of the most dangerous. In 2011, 781 people were killed in the construction industry, which is a higher fatality rate than any other industry in the U.S. Because of the type of work done in the construction industry, the occupational hazards and risks are often much higher than those faced in other industries. Have you been injured in a construction accident in Houston? Here's a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqYeRjbR9PI&feature=youtu.be What is a construction accident? A construction accident occurs when an employee who has been hired to perform construction site duties, such as building, repairing, demolishing, improving, cleaning, or generally constructing a specific facility, is hurt on the job. In these situations, the injury can be severe or even fatal. The four most dangerous types of construction accidents, as reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, are: Falls — (33.5% of construction fatalities in 2018)Workers struck by objects — (11.1%)Electrocutions — (8.5%)“Caught-in/between” accidents — 55 (5.5% The "caught-in/between" category includes all accidents where a construction worker is killed when…

The Victim’s Guide to Car Crash Compensation

Car crash victims are generally entitled to compensation. If you’ve been injured in a car accident -- or worse, a big rig or semi-truck accident -- you’re probably wondering how you will pay your medical bills, your injuries, missed work, and repairs. But, how much will the insurance policies pay out? What do you need to do to get the insurance company to pay? What if the other driver was drunk, high, or texting while driving? If you’re the victim in a car crash, the amount of total compensation you receive for your injuries and damages will depend on many different factors. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLbNemS_YlM&feature=youtu.be What if the other driver says the car accident was my fault? Sometimes you have to prove the accident was not your fault.  You should always call the police to make a report, take photos of the vehicles and the other driver’s information, call your and the other driver’s insurance company, and contact a personal injury lawyer afterward to get immediate help with your legal emergency.  An experienced personal injury legal emergency lawyer can help you prove your case. Texas is a “fault” state with regard to car accidents. This means that the driver…