Kennett Square Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians have the right to use sidewalks and crosswalks safely, but distracted or reckless drivers can put them in grave danger. If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in Kennett Square, Kingbird Legal is here to help. Our Kennett Square pedestrian accident lawyer will fight for the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal damage, making legal representation critical for securing a fair settlement. We will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to ensure you receive full and fair compensation. You don’t have to handle this alone—our experienced team is ready to stand up for your rights. Call 484-289-4880 today for a free consultation, and let us help you pursue justice and financial recovery.

What to Do When Insurance Adjusters Contact You After a Pedestrian Accident in Pennsylvania

Pedestrian accidents can leave victims with serious injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania, dealing with insurance companies and adjusters is often a key part of the recovery process. However, navigating these conversations can be tricky, especially when you’re focused on healing. Understanding how insurance adjusters work and how to handle their inquiries is important for protecting your rights and maximizing the compensation you deserve.

What Is an Insurance Adjuster?

An insurance adjuster is a professional hired by an insurance company to investigate claims, evaluate damages, and determine how much compensation is appropriate. After a pedestrian accident, the adjuster’s job is to assess the details of the incident, determine liability, and make decisions about how much compensation to offer.

While their role is to help facilitate the claims process, it’s important to remember that the adjuster’s ultimate goal is to minimize the insurance company’s financial exposure. This means that the adjuster may try to settle your claim for less than it’s worth, sometimes by getting you to agree to a lower settlement before you have all the facts.

Steps to Take When You’re Contacted by an Insurance Adjuster

Don’t Rush to Speak to the Adjuster

It can be tempting to speak with an insurance adjuster as soon as they contact you. However, it’s important to avoid making any hasty decisions. If you’re still recovering from your injuries, you might not fully understand the extent of the damage, both physically and financially. Rushing into conversations could result in you agreeing to a settlement that doesn’t adequately cover your medical expenses or other damages.

Before speaking to the insurance adjuster, take the time to consult with an attorney who specializes in pedestrian accidents. They can help you understand your rights, assess the full scope of your injuries, and give you advice on how to handle communications with the adjuster.

Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities

In Pennsylvania, pedestrians have legal rights when it comes to accidents involving motor vehicles. If the driver was at fault for the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, the process of recovering compensation is often more complicated than it seems.

As a pedestrian, you are not automatically entitled to compensation. If you are partially at fault for the accident, Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence laws could reduce the amount of compensation you are entitled to. This makes it even more important to understand your rights and responsibilities before negotiating with an insurance adjuster.

Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize the amount the company pays out in claims, and they may offer you a settlement early in the process to quickly close your case. However, this first offer is often much lower than what you may actually be entitled to. In many cases, the initial offer may not even cover the full extent of your medical bills or lost wages.

Before agreeing to any settlement, make sure to:

Evaluate the full extent of your injuries. This may include future medical treatments, rehabilitation, or ongoing care.
Take into account lost wages and the impact on your ability to work.
Consider the emotional and psychological toll the accident has taken on you.

It’s important to thoroughly assess the damages and consult with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand what a fair settlement should look like.

Document Everything

One of the most important steps you can take in dealing with an insurance adjuster is to keep detailed records of everything related to the accident. This includes:

Medical records and bills, including emergency room visits, doctor appointments, and prescriptions.
Photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and vehicle damage, if applicable.
A log of missed workdays and lost wages due to the accident.
Any correspondence with the insurance company, including emails and letters.

Having thorough documentation of the accident will support your case when negotiating with the adjuster. The more evidence you can provide, the stronger your claim will be.

Be Careful with Your Statements

When an insurance adjuster contacts you, be cautious about what you say. Even if they seem friendly and sympathetic, keep in mind that their job is to minimize the insurance company’s liability. Anything you say can be used against you later in the process.

Here are some guidelines to follow when speaking with an adjuster:

Stick to the basic facts. Don’t speculate about what happened or admit any fault for the accident.
Avoid providing a recorded statement unless you have legal counsel present. Insurance adjusters may ask you for a recorded statement, but it’s important to be careful about how your words are used.
Don’t discuss your medical condition in detail until you have received a full diagnosis. It can be difficult to predict how injuries will progress, so avoid giving the adjuster a false sense of finality before you fully understand the impact on your life.

Instead, tell the adjuster you will need time to assess your injuries and consult with your attorney before proceeding further.

Consider Hiring an Attorney

Insurance adjusters are skilled professionals, and negotiating a fair settlement can be difficult, especially if you are recovering from injuries. Hiring a personal injury lawyer who specializes in pedestrian accidents can level the playing field.

An experienced attorney can:

Handle all communication with the insurance company.
Ensure that you don’t accept a settlement that’s too low.
Investigate the details of the accident and gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.
Negotiate with the insurance adjuster to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
Represent you in court, if necessary.

Having legal representation can significantly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. It also allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries without the stress of dealing with insurance companies.

Know When to Say No

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to accept any offer the insurance adjuster makes. If the adjuster offers a settlement that is far below what you need, or if they try to push you into making a quick decision, it’s okay to say no. You have the right to continue negotiations or pursue legal action if necessary.

Keep in mind that settlement offers can always be adjusted. If you feel that the insurance company is offering an unfair settlement, you may want to pursue further action or litigation with the help of your attorney.

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable in Kennett Square

Pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable people on the road, and when negligent drivers cause harm, they must be held accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, Kingbird Legal is here to help. Our Kennett Square pedestrian accident attorney will fight to secure full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. We know the insurance companies will try to minimize your claim, but we will not let them take advantage of you. Don’t wait to seek the justice you deserve. Call 484-289-4880 today for a free consultation, and let us help you move forward.