Things Not To Tell To The Insurer After A Car Accident

Law Blog

After a car is involved in an accident, it won't take long for the concerned parties (mainly insurance companies) to contact you to know more about the incident. In most cases, insurers make these calls within hours or the next day, and if you aren't ready to respond carefully, your words may affect your claim process.

Whether you have sought the help of a car accident lawyer on claim matters or not, you should take time to know your rights. It's always better to work with an auto accident lawyer before communicating with an adjuster to learn some dos and don'ts. Here are things your lawyer will recommend that you don't say.

Don't Make an Apology

Whether the incident was your fault or not, you shouldn't try to express regret to the insurance company. Unfortunately, many accident victims feel responsible for mishaps and may try to fix the situation. Doing this will reduce your chances of getting compensation. The insurance adjuster may use your apology as an admission of fault, which is a viable ground for a claim denial or reducing liability. So, focus on providing information about the accident and don't sound like you are sorry.

Don't Speculate

Every time you pick up a call from the adjuster, you should stick to the facts. Don't try to offer an opinion, share your thoughts, or even speculate on factors that may have caused the accident. Also, don't start guessing how you sustained the injuries. If you're asked something and don't know the appropriate answer, simply say you don't know. Any explanation you give may be used against you, and the car accident lawyer will have difficulty proving that you deserve a fair settlement.

Don't Say You're Fine

When asked about your condition, don't say that you aren't injured or you're fine unless you have a detailed report from a doctor. You will have gone for a check-up after the accident. Even so, it's always better to avoid discussing your health condition, since some injuries aren't noticeable initially due to the adrenaline.

Once you visit a doctor, get a report that outlines all your injuries, but don't sign a medical release until you schedule a consultation meeting with the lawyer.

Don't Share Names

When you fail to disclose your current health condition, the insurance adjuster may opt to ask for contact information for your colleagues, physician, or family members. They may contact these people to gather more details about the accident or your recovery progress. So, don't share such information.

Contact a law office for more information. 

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8 September 2022