In this article, you will learn how to deal with insurance agents after a car crash, including what specific things you should avoid telling them so that you can still get a settlement with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
If you have been in a car accident and are in need of legal advice, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig. Our team of expert car accident lawyers has years of experience helping people to win personal injury cases and obtain fair settlements.
After a serious crash, most accident victims are focused on dealing with injuries, talking to driver’s insurance companies, and trying to get their lives back to normal.
Unfortunately, amidst the chaos of the time after a crash, insurance claims adjusters might try to take advantage of the situation and get you to say things that can impact your car accident case down the line.
What Not To Say After A Car Accident
What you say to insurance adjusters after an accident can impact the claims process and prevent you from collecting a fair settlement.
When in doubt, always contact an experienced car accident lawyer for legal representation before you speak with insurance companies. If you must talk to adjusters, use the following information to learn what not to say!
1. Admitting Fault For The Car Accident
If there is one thing you take away from reading this article, let it be this: NEVER admit fault for an accident before speaking with an attorney.
Car accidents are complex, and even in crashes where it seems like you might be to blame, other factors could relieve you of fault.
Part of the insurance adjuster’s job on post-accident phone calls is to collect information about the crash and how it happened. If you intentionally or unintentionally admit fault during one of these calls, it might be difficult or impossible to later prove that fault was shared or that another party was at fault.
You should avoid discussing or hypothesizing what happened during the accident when speaking to insurance adjusters.
The best thing you can do is call a personal injury law office such as Florin|Roebig for a free consultation. The earlier you do this, the smaller the chance that something you say to an adjuster could impact your claim.
2. Discussing The Severity Of Personal Injuries
If you have been injured in an accident, you should avoid discussing the extent of your injuries with insurance companies. It is easy to downplay or over-dramatize your injuries without even realizing it.
Saying things like “I’m fine” can minimize the injuries that you have sustained. This can hurt your car accident claim because it will be difficult to seek compensation for injuries that you have described as minor or non-existent.
On the other hand, exaggerating your injuries can also negatively impact your claim because it sets a precedent of dishonesty. If your statements are labeled as dishonest or untrustworthy, it can make it very difficult to pursue a settlement.
The best way to deal with car accident injuries is to receive medical treatment and to be sure to tell doctors about everything you are feeling. Every ache, pain, and injury should be documented and treated.
Common Injuries That Occur In Car Accidents
Car crashes can cause just about any type of injury imaginable and may range from minor to severe, or even fatal.
Some common injuries in car accidents include:
- Dismemberment
- Burns
- Neck or back damage
- Head trauma including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Joint or muscle injury
- Broken bones
- Disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord damage
- Fatality
3. Sharing Medical Records With Insurance Companies
Your medical bills and records include important information about your injuries, the treatment you have received, and the costs you have incurred.
You should never share this information with car insurance adjusters. Medical records can be used against you in a personal injury lawsuit or claim.
If relevant to your claim and beneficial or legally necessary to do so, your attorney can share information including medical records with insurance companies later on in the claims process.
It is important to remember that insurance companies are rarely on your side. Usually, they are trying to pay the least amount possible if they are liable for an accident. When they ask you for information like medical records, you should be skeptical of their intentions and speak with an attorney.
4. Making Assumptions About The Accident
You might have opinions or ideas about what happened during your accident, including what caused the crash, who was to blame, or how much damage was done.
Insurance adjusters might ask you questions about the accident and encourage you to speculate on what happened. You should always avoid doing so.
Official documents including the police report for the incident, medical records, and other documentation will tell the story of the crash. If you deserve a settlement, an experienced attorney will help you to get one.
There is no need to share speculation or assumptions about what happened during the crash with an insurance agent.
5. Offering Unnecessary Information
It is always safest to assume that any information you give to insurance adjusters can be used against you. Aside from the basic information that you are required to share with them by law, you should avoid offering anything else.
Information to avoid sharing could include names of people involved in the crash, contact information for you or anyone else, your report of what happened, or anything else related to the accident or your injuries.
6. Sharing Names
One type of information that insurance adjusters might try to get out of you is the names and/or contact information of people related to the accident or close to you.
Never share the names, phone numbers, or any other information about people close to you such as family members or friends. The insurance company might try to contact them and ask for information about the incident.
Other names that adjusters might ask for include medical providers, repair shops, and even tow truck drivers who assisted you after the crash. Never share this information! If an adjuster asks for names or contact information of people you know, simply decline and contact a personal injury attorney.
7. Providing A Recorded Statement
If an insurance agent asks if they can record your conversation before speaking with you, always decline. It is far too easy to say something that could impact your claim negatively, erasing the hard work of your lawyers.
To record a call, insurance companies will have a disclaimer at the beginning of your conversation. If they say the conversation will be recorded and give you no option to decline, simply hang up and contact a car accident lawyer.
Insurance adjusters are experts at getting people like yourself to say things that can negatively impact your claim. It is always safer to speak to insurance agents without recording, but even things said without recording can impact your claim.
8. Admitting To Not Hiring A Lawyer
Do not tell insurance adjusters if you have not yet hired a lawyer, or if you do not plan on contacting an attorney.
If an adjuster knows that you are not working with a lawyer, they might view you as more vulnerable and try even harder to get information out of you that could hurt your case.
Top Steps To Take After A Car Accident
Okay, enough about what not to do after a car accident—you are probably wondering what you should do in the aftermath of a crash.
The best thing you can do after a car accident is to contact an experienced personal injury law firm such as Florin|Roebig. Their attorneys offer free case evaluations and they will only advise you to pursue a car accident claim if they believe you will win a substantial settlement!
Contact A Car Accident Attorney
The first step after an accident is to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as it is safe to do so. An attorney can review the details of your accident and help you to decide whether you should file a personal injury claim to seek a settlement that covers your losses.
The attorneys at Florin|Roebig law firm have no incentive to suggest that you file a claim if they do not believe you will be successful. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you receive a settlement.
File A Personal Injury Claim
With the help of an attorney, you can file a claim against the liable party. Usually, this will be the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Your attorneys will send a demand letter to the liable party, notifying them that you are filing a claim and will be pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses.
Next, your lawyer will walk you through every part of the claims process. They will handle all communication related to your case, and they will negotiate to get you a fair settlement.
The attorney-client relationship will benefit you in numerous ways, including making it easier for you to go about daily life without worrying about the details of your claim.
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Car Accident Insurance FAQs
Do you still have questions about car accident claims and insurance? Find the answers below.
Should I Accept The First Settlement Offer?
When you talk to an insurance agent on the phone, they might offer you a settlement. If you accept the offer, it will close the claim and you will not be able to file legal action or pursue money for other losses.
You should NEVER accept the first settlement offer that an insurance agent gives you. They are likely trying to get you to take a small amount of money so that you cannot pursue a larger settlement.
Decline the settlement offer if this occurs and contact an attorney immediately.
Is Hiring A Lawyer Helpful After A Car Accident?
While you technically do not have to hire a lawyer after a car accident, doing so can help you in numerous ways. A strong attorney can help build a case for you, handle all the details of your claim, and negotiate a fair settlement.
People who hire attorneys for personal injury claims win larger settlements, on average, than people who do not.
Can You File A Car Accident Claim If You Are At Fault?
In some states, there is a law called comparative negligence. This law allows people who were partially at fault for an accident to pursue compensation in personal injury claims.
If you shared fault for an accident, you might still be able to file a claim and win a settlement. An attorney can help you determine whether you should file a claim.
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Contact Florin|Roebig For Top Auto Accident Lawyers
Florin| Roebig has been helping people win large settlements in car accident claims for decades. Our team of experienced attorneys has won several awards and we have helped our clients win over $1 billion in settlements!
We offer free case reviews for people who are unsure about whether to file a claim. There is no commitment and absolutely no pressure to move forward with a claim.
To schedule your initial consultation or speak more about your car accident with an expert, call Florin|Roebig today!
