Whether the bus involved was a commercial vehicle operated by a company like Greyhound or part of a public transit service like the Gary Public Transportation Corporation (GPTC), any bus accident resulting in significant property damage and/or injuries can almost certainly serve as grounds for civil litigation. When suing an individual driver or organization directly for damages, negotiations with the parties’ private insurance providers is generally initially attempted in the hopes of achieving a private settlement. If that is not possible, the lawyers at The Law Offices of David W. Holub will take the case to trial.
With that in mind, talking to insurance companies after a Merrillville bus accident is a vital part of the civil recovery process for just about every injured person—and unfortunately, it is also the stage of that process where you can most easily and quickly weaken your own claim, if you do not have a good lawyer. Here are some things to keep in mind about how to interact with insurance providers when seeking compensation after a bus wreck, as well as about what a skilled bus accident lawyer from the Law Offices of David W. Holub could do to help you through your claim.
What Are Insurance Companies Looking for During Accident Investigations?
Much like a member of law enforcement might conduct an investigation to determine whether someone actually committed an alleged criminal offense, insurance adjusters will typically conduct investigations into bus crashes in Merrillville to determine how and why that accident happened. As part of this process, these adjusters may conduct multiple interviews with everyone involved in the incident, return to the accident scene for photographs and analysis, review police accident reports, and even examine the medical records of people claiming to have been injured through the incident.
Beyond determining what happened, insurance adjusters also look for evidence they could use to reduce the insurance company’s liability for accident-related losses. Even a minor discrepancy between post-accident statements or a missed medical appointment could support an argument that your injuries are less severe than claimed or that you bear greater fault than the bus service the insurer represents.
Be Honest, but Not Generous, When Talking to Insurance Adjusters
Because insurance adjusters may quickly draw conclusions from a dishonest or unclear statement, it is crucial to tell the truth when speaking with insurance companies after a Merrillville bus crash. You should focus on providing direct, factual answers to questions and avoid speculating about what happened or making statements that could imply fault for your own injuries.
You should also use caution when giving recorded statements or signing any documents presented by an insurance company. A bus injury lawyer could explain what you are and are not legally required to do in this context and help protect your rights during interactions with insurers.
A Merrillville Bus Accident Attorney Can Talk to Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
Talking to insurance companies after a Merrillville bus accident is not something you necessarily should be scared of doing. However, it is something you will want to be very careful with, since insurance adjusters rarely need much of an excuse to protect their employer’s bottom line at the expense of injured people.
A member of our team can represent your best interests during settlement talks and help ensure you do not inadvertently harm your own case through a poorly phrased statement or by falling for an adjuster’s underhanded tactics. Contact us today for an initial consultation.