Before you worry about getting better after a car accident, you should fix your car and fill out the necessary paperwork. You want to move forward. But one day, someone from an insurance company calls you, but it’s not yours. They are a representative from the company insuring the other person who was in the accident. What should you do?.
If this happens to you, you need to be prepared and understand how to respond. Make sure you protect your rights after you have been in a car accident.
If you’ve been in a car accident, one of the first calls you’ll likely get is from your insurance company. While they may seem friendly, it’s important to be cautious about what you say. Insurance adjusters are ultimately looking out for their own interests not yours.
In this guide I’ll explain why insurance companies call after accidents what they’re hoping to find out, and how to respond to protect your rights. I’ll also give tips on when you may need to involve a personal injury attorney.
Why Do Insurance Companies Call After an Accident?
There are a few key reasons an insurance company may contact you following a collision:
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To get your statement on what happened. They will compare your version to their insured driver’s story.
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To determine if you have injuries or plan to make an injury claim. This could affect settlements
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To find out if you intend to repair your car or total it. Impacts their payouts.
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To settle vehicle damage or injury claims quickly and cheaply before you lawyer up.
Their goal is to close claims with the least amount of money paid out. So they’ll call soon after an accident to gather information from you and make a low-ball offer.
What Types of Questions Will They Ask?
Insurance adjusters will try to get as much detail from you as possible. Here are some common questions they may ask:
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How did the accident happen? Can you explain step-by-step?
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Were you injured? How severe are the injuries?
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Have you seen a doctor yet? Who is your doctor?
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Are you missing work? For how long?
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Is your car repairable? Where is it now?
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Do you have an estimate on damage costs?
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Do you have an attorney or plan to get one?
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Will you accept $X to settle your claim today?
Don’t feel obligated to answer right away. Politely decline to discuss details until you consult your own insurer or attorney.
Dangers of Giving an Early Recorded Statement
Insurance companies will often ask to record your conversation. They may claim it’s “standard procedure” or to “get your side of the story.”
Decline any recorded statement. It can be used against you later to deny or minimize your claim. Anything you say can potentially jeopardize your case down the road.
How to Respond to Insurance Calls After an Accident
When you get a call from your insurance company post-accident, here are some tips:
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Ask for the caller’s name, company, phone number. But provide minimal information in return.
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Decline giving a recorded statement. Say you’ll provide one later through your attorney.
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Be vague about injuries. Don’t downplay them or speculate on treatment timelines.
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Hold off on authorizing repairs or accepting any settlement offer.
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Say you’ll follow up once you’ve spoken to your insurer, doctor, and attorney.
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Politely end the conversation if you feel pressured or uncomfortable.
The less detail you provide upfront, the better. This prevents statements that could weaken your claim later.
When Should You Contact a Personal Injury Attorney?
It’s smart to consult an attorney experienced with accident and injury claims if:
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The at-fault driver’s insurer is pushing hard for info or a quick settlement.
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Your injuries are severe with ongoing medical treatment expected.
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You will need help navigating multiple insurance policies.
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The insurer denies your claim or disputes fault.
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You are unable to work for an extended duration due to your injuries.
An attorney can interface with insurers on your behalf and make sure your rights are protected. This takes the pressure off you during recovery.
Protect Your Rights After an Accident
Receiving a call from your insurance company after a collision can be stressful, especially if injured. Be cautious providing details upfront that could undermine your claim later. Politely defer questions until you have legal guidance.
With an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, you can feel confident your interests are secured when negotiating with insurers after an accident. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation on your options.
Tips for Talking With an Insurance Company Contact
If another insurance company contacts you, be polite and stay calm. If someone asks you to answer a question, get their name, title, and the name of the company. Write down this information. Give them the bare minimum of information, though. Only tell them your name, address and phone number if necessary. Do not volunteer any information about the accident, your injuries, your insurance company or your insurance claims. Take notes during the conversation on the topics you discuss.
To prevent a situation where the other driver’s insurance company keeps calling, end the conversation correctly. Let the other driver’s insurance adjuster know that they should not contact you, but you will contact them.
Here are some other things that you should know if you receive a call.
Do Not Let Them Record You. Do Not Give a Written Statement.
Most insurance adjusters do not come at you full force. Instead, they will try to be chatty and convince you that they are just trying to get the best possible details on what happened. One of their favorite tricks is to try to convince you to allow them to record the conversation. They will say something like, “This will go much faster if you can give us a recorded statement.”
Do not do it.
A recorded statement is one of the main ways you can damage your case. Insurance adjusters for other companies will use a recorded statement to undermine your accident claim. How do they do that?.
If you talked to the police at the scene of the accident, the other driver’s insurance adjuster will look at both of your statements. They will also look at any statements you made when you filed your claim. They are looking for the slightest inconsistency so they can deny your claim. It is normal for someone to tell a slightly different story about an accident four or five months after it happened. Giving them a recorded statement allows them to look for those inconsistencies.
Adjusters will ask you those strange questions we talked about above, ones that are meant to hurt your claim. Sometimes they will encourage you to agree with something that you know is not true. You could say “Maybe” or “I guess so” if you just want them to leave you alone or change the subject at hand. ” This is that what they want you to do.
If a claim goes to trial, the other party’s defense team will use your recorded statement during cross-examination. You may have said the things they recorded months ago, but you can’t remember what you said. This is the trap they have laid for you. If you even slightly change what you said in a recorded statement while you are on the stand in court, the other side’s lawyers will make sure the jury pays close attention to that difference.
Should I Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company After an Accident? | Car Accident FAQ (2020)
FAQ
Why would an insurance company call me?
Why is an insurance agency calling me?
How do I get insurance companies to stop calling me?
Why is an insurance investigator calling me?
What if I get a call from an insurance company?
One day, however, you get a call from someone from an insurance company — but it is not your insurance company. They are a representative from the company insuring the other person who was in the accident. What should you do? If this happens to you, you need to be prepared and understand how to respond.
Why do insurance companies Call Me after a car accident?
It is all about the money. One of the main reasons the other driver’s insurance company calls you is to try to trick you into providing evidence that the accident was your fault, that any injuries you may have suffered were minor or that you did not have any injuries at all.
What if the other driver’s insurance company calls you?
All of this means that if the other driver’s insurance company contacts you after a car accident, tell their representative (politely but firmly) any of the following that might apply: you’re working with your own car insurance company and/or with an attorney to figure out your options. What If the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Keeps Calling Me?
What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company keeps calling?
To prevent a situation where the other driver’s insurance company keeps calling, end the conversation correctly. Let the other driver’s insurance adjuster know that they should not contact you, but you will contact them. Here are some other things that you should know if you receive a call.