Rock Hill, South Carolina, is notorious for car accidents and other road-related incidents. It is the fifth most dangerous city in the country for car crashes and has been ranked as one of the worst cities for drivers. York County is tied at tenth for the most fatalities per county in South Carolina, with 150% more vehicle fatalities than the median for all counties in the State.
The city has a high crash rate, so it is important for residents to know their rights. If you have been injured in an accident in Rock Hill, contact an attorney at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Filing a Claim With Geico in Rock Hill, SC
Initially established in 1936, Geico is the second-largest insurer in the U.S. The insurance company has substantial resources and will not hesitate to leverage them to minimize your claim value or deny it. To maximize your claim, there are several things that you should not do when filing a claim with Geico. You should not:
Do Not Admit Fault
South Carolina follows a comparative negligence doctrine. You will be eligible for financial recovery if you are less than 51% responsible for an accident. However, this does not mean you should admit any type of fault. If you admit fault for the accident, even if you are partially responsible, your claim could reduce in value, or the insurance company may deny the claim altogether.
Don’t Describe or Minimize Your Injuries
When discussing your injuries with a Geico adjuster, you’ll need to walk a fine line. While you don’t want to exaggerate your injuries, you also don’t want to minimize them. Doing either could jeopardize your ability to recover any compensation at all.
The best way to avoid minimizing or exaggerating your injuries is not to discuss them with the adjuster. If a Geico adjuster asks you to describe your injuries, you can refer them to your Rock Hill car accident lawyer.
Do Not Provide a Recorded Statement
While you may think giving a recorded statement is the fastest way to get your claim taken care of, it is a mistake in most cases. Making a mistake you can’t take back is easy and may cause the insurer to deny your claim.
Instead, you can provide a written statement through your lawyer. This allows you to have more control over what you say, and your attorney can review the statement before you submit it to ensure you’ve said nothing that could hurt your case.
Do Not Sign a Medical Record Release Form
A medical record release form is something the insurance company will ask you to sign. It allows them access to all of your medical records, which can hurt your case. Insurance companies will use this information against you. Be sure to talk with an attorney before signing anything.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Geico Car Accident Claim?
Geico is a large company, so they have a lot of claims to process. This means it may take some time for your claim to be settled. You can help speed up this process by providing your attorney with as much information as possible and following their instructions closely.
What If Geico Denies My Claim?
Geico may deny your claim. If this happens, contact your attorney immediately. They may be able to determine if filing a lawsuit is the way to go to try and recover for your losses.
Why You Need a Lawyer to Help You With Your Rock Hill Geico Claim
It can be hard to know what to do next if you’ve been injured in a car accident. You may not know how much your medical bills will cost or how long they will take to pay off. You may also have trouble getting your car fixed or repaired if you don’t have an auto insurance policy that covers those expenses.
The best way to deal with these issues is to hire an attorney to help you with your Geico claim. A Rock Hill personal injury lawyer can determine how much money Geico owes you and ensure they pay up as quickly as possible. They may also be able to help you get compensation for any additional expenses you incur from the accident, such as lost wages or medical bills.
Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor in Rock Hill, SC Today
If you have been injured in an auto accident in Rock Hill, it is important that you speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys. We will assist you in obtaining the maximum compensation for your injuries so you can get on with your life.