A large part of our personal injury practice at Bergeron Paradis & Fitzpatrick LLP is devoted to helping victims of Vermont car accidents. If you have been injured in a car accident in Vermont and someone else is at fault, please read on for some tips on what to do next.

Get Medical Treatment

If you have pain symptoms following a car accident, it is important that you seek medical treatment. If your injuries are not serious enough to require emergency care, it is still critical to get evaluated by your primary care physician as soon as possible.

When you get evaluated, make sure to accurately describe all of your pain symptoms. Importantly, do not minimize your injuries. Sometimes people have a tendency to say “I’m fine” when they really are not. If you are injured in a car accident, it is essential that you get accurately diagnosed and treated for the injuries as soon as possible.

Do Not Give A Recorded Statement

After a car accident, you may receive a call from an insurance adjuster. You may be asked if the statement can be recorded. In almost all circumstances, the answer should be no.

The only reason the insurance adjuster wants to record a statement, is in case you say something that can be used against you later. In simple terms, there is no benefit to you in giving a recorded statement.

The only exception is if your own insurance company is asking you to give a statement. Potentially, your policy could require you to give a statement. But it’s best to first determine why the statement is being requested, and what your obligations are to give one.

Do Not Sign Anything

The insurance company adjuster will often ask for a signed medical authorization so that the insurance company can request your medical records directly from your medical providers. The authorization may even give the insurance adjuster the right to speak with your doctor about all of your medical conditions – even those unrelated to the accident.

An adjuster may also try to get you to settle your claim before you really understand the extent of your injuries and the treatment that will be needed.

For these reasons, it is important that you do not sign anything presented to you by the insurance company unless you fully understand what rights you will be giving up.

Speak To A Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident in Vermont, keep in mind that the insurance company is not on your side. The insurance company has a very simple goal: to pay you as little as possible.

Bergeron Paradis & Fitzpatrick will provide a free consultation so that you can understand your rights and your options for pursuing the claim.