Why You Shouldn’t Repair Your Vehicle Before You Talk to an Attorney

We know that after a car accident you want—and likely need—to get your car fixed as soon as possible. However, the damage to your vehicle is important evidence if you have an injury claim. Here’s why you shouldn’t repair your vehicle before you talk to an attorney.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the only people you should talk to about the accident are a doctor and an attorney. Once a lawyer is representing your interests, he or she can communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf. Your attorney will conduct these conversations—and handle your claim—based on the strength of the evidence in your case, including your medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and the damage to your vehicle.

The damage to your vehicle is an important indicator of many factors, including:

• Who was at fault in the accident
• How fast you and the other driver were traveling at the time of the accident
• The force of the impact
• The direction you and the other driver were traveling at the time of the accident

All of these issues can be important in maximizing your financial recovery after a Georgia car accident. Therefore, it’s important to wait to repair your vehicle until you talk to an attorney, because your attorney will be able to preserve information that may later be disputed by an insurance company or the other drivers. Please keep in mind that insurance company representatives are trained to minimize the appearance of damage in photo with the goal of paying as little as possible on a claim. Having your own photos and evidence may be the difference between a fair settlement or verdict and something that is wholly inadequate.

Unfortunately, disputes regarding vehicle damage estimates and repair work are common after a car accident. If you go to your own auto body shop to obtain an estimate, the insurance company—yours or the other driver’s—may obtain its own estimate, and if it’s less, the insurance company will argue that your estimate is inflated.

When you have a detailed written estimate backed by clear photos, the more easily you can show that your estimate is more complete and accurate than the insurance company’s estimate.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the Atlanta area or anywhere in Georgia, contact the legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers before you repair your vehicle. We’ll obtain photos and other evidence you need to recover the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (404) 460-0101.