| It is an unfortunate reality that auto accidents occur | | | | Also, take pictures of your injuries before they heal. |
| at a staggering rate in the State of Washington and | | | | Bruises and other injuries heal after several weeks, |
| throughout the United States. Along with the | | | | and months after an accident. When the insurance |
| potential shock, injuries, and property damage | | | | adjuster is arguing that the crash was not very |
| associated with a car accident comes the inevitable | | | | significant, pictures of your bruises and other injuries |
| battle with the insurance company. In order to | | | | will help solidify your claim of injury. Keep notes about |
| ensure that you don't throw away your rights when | | | | your injuries. |
| it comes to being injured in a traffic collision, here are | | | | 5. As weeks or months pass after an accident, you |
| seven tips on how you can protect yourself against | | | | might forget how it hurt just to get dressed, and the |
| and beat the insurance company. | | | | adjuster will try to make it seem like any description |
| 1. Identify all witnesses so there will be someone to | | | | you give is an exaggeration. Keep track of any pain |
| support your case if it goes to court. | | | | medications you may be prescribed for your injuries. |
| 2. Get all contact information from witnesses at the | | | | Obtain letters from your employer and family |
| scene. When you interview them, ask them what | | | | describing how the injury has changed your life. |
| they saw and make a note of phrases they used like | | | | These kinds of written documents are invaluable |
| "slammed into," "plowed," "speeding," or "he ran the | | | | when presenting your claim to the insurance adjuster |
| red light." Some people believe that there are | | | | or to a judge and jury in court. Keep receipts, |
| insurance companies who send adjusters to the | | | | because the adjuster will ask for proof of anything |
| scene of an accident in order to catch people off | | | | you claim as an expense. |
| guard, asking incriminating questions or to have them | | | | 6. You should definitely keep receipts for |
| sign away any rights they may have to future | | | | prescriptions, household services made necessary by |
| compensation. So, beware of insurance | | | | the injuries you suffered in the accident, car rentals, |
| representatives at the auto accident scene. To avoid | | | | etc. Keep each of those receipts so you can |
| being questioned about your injury by an adjuster, | | | | document every expense. The insurance adjuster |
| schedule a doctor's appointment as soon as possible | | | | may try to tell you that your claim is worth much |
| after the accident. | | | | less than it really is. |
| 3. Many attorneys are frequently asked by adjusters, | | | | 7. It is highly common for an injured victim to not |
| "If your client was truly hurt, why did he wait so long | | | | know the real value of their claim. And an adjuster |
| to see a doctor?" If you are hurt in an auto accident | | | | will try to get you to believe that your claim is worth |
| in Washington, seek medical attention as soon as | | | | much less than it actually is. It is the adjuster's job to |
| possible. Immediately after the accident, take | | | | save the insurance company money by settling your |
| pictures of your car. | | | | claim for as little as possible. The adjuster will try to |
| 4. A picture taken of your car at the accident scene | | | | make your claim seem unimportant, so you may |
| is proof that is difficult to dispute. Pictures of the | | | | want to seek assistance elsewhere to determine |
| damage will help tell your story. If you can, take | | | | your claim's true value. The bottom line: The |
| pictures of the other cars involved in the accident. | | | | insurance company is not on your side. |
| Some people carry a small, inexpensive camera in | | | | The goal of the insurance company is to make as |
| their glove compartment for these types of | | | | much money as possible. They do this by giving you |
| situations. Also, many cell phones are equipped with a | | | | as little as possible for your injuries. |
| camera feature and can be used for this purpose. | | | | |