What Do You Tell the Insurance Company After a Collision?
Car accidents typically occur due to the negligence of one or more parties. Texas is an at-fault state. This means that the victims of a crash can seek damages from the responsible party. If you’ve been injured in a Dallas automobile wreck caused by another driver, a car accident lawyer can help you file a compensation claim.
This claim is usually filed with the insurance company of the at-fault party. An adjuster, whose responsibilities include reviewing the claims, gets in touch with you, gathers important information regarding the claim, and investigates it. The adjuster then decides if you have a genuine claim, and what the value of your claim is.
In most cases, adjusters do their best to use your statements to downplay your claim or reject it. This is why you must be careful in what you say when dealing with the insurance company. And you are under no obligation to speak with the opposing party’s insurance company about the accident. Better yet, make sure you have legal representation at the time.
Here is a look at what you should say when contacting the insurer in the wake of a crash.
Call as Soon as Possible
It is best to contact the insurer and report the accident as soon as possible. A timely report puts the crash on record. It also allows the insurance company to investigate the incident. Any delays can result in important evidence being lost.
An insurance company is legally entitled to reject a claim if the accident is not reported in a reasonable time. This is another reason you shouldn’t delay reporting the crash.
Stick to the Facts
When communicating with the insurance companies regarding a vehicle accident, you must stick to the facts. Divulge details such as the date, time, and location of the crash. Share names, identification details, license information, and other information about the parties involved. Tell the company about the vehicles involved.
When responding to any questions from the insurance adjuster, keep your responses brief and concise. If the adjuster asks questions about who is liable, the extent of your damage, or other questions which are not clear, politely refuse to respond.
Give Details of Losses
In your communication with the insurer, you should also shed light on the nature and extent of your losses. Tell the insurance representatives about any injuries you have sustained as well as possible property damage.
Say No More Than Needed
Finally, you must say no more than is needed when talking to the insurance representative. The adjuster may ask you about how the crash occurred, who was at fault, what you were doing before the crash, and so on. These are all trick questions to make you say things that can be used against your claim.
If you suspect you are being asked a trick question, simply respond by saying you would like to provide a written statement. A qualified lawyer can then help you put together a statement that helps your claim.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
It is highly recommended that you hire legal help before dealing with an insurer following a car accident. Here at Chris Lewis & Associates P.C., our lawyers advise you on how best to communicate with insurance companies. We also negotiate with the company on your behalf to secure the best settlement deal.
Call us today at 214-665-6930 to discuss your car crash case with our lawyers.
