Insurance companies work fast after a car accident. Often times, the adjuster will contact people who are involved in an accident the same day or within a few days after the occurrence. You may even receive a call from the other party’s insurance adjuster. We understand how stressful it is after an accident, so we compiled tips for you on how to speak with an insurance company after you have experienced an auto accident.
Find out who you are talking to.
When you receive the phone call, ask for the person’s name, the insurer they work for, their work address, and work telephone number. If they are unable, or unwilling, to provide you with this information, do not speak with them.
Do not agree to a recorded statement.
The adjustor may claim that a recorded statement will “protect you” or speed up your claim process, but a recorded statement can also work against you. The adjustor may ask you leading questions or remarks (i.e. “It sounds like your back injury is not as bad as you thought”) and the answer you respond with may undermine your injury and your compensation.
Limit the information you give to the insurance adjustor.
You may give them general information, including:
- Your name
- The name of others in the accident
- Date and time of accident
- Location of accident
- The insurance information of the other driver
- The make and model of cars involved
Don’t discuss your injuries.
The extent of an injury in a car accident can take weeks or months to become fully apparent. How you state your injury may be used against you at a later date. You do not owe them a progress report. If they ask you how you are doing, you can say that you don’t know the “full extent of the injury yet”.
Don’t speculate or guess.
If they ask you questions about the accident, and you don’t know the answer, do not speculate or guess what may have happened. It is acceptable to say “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember”.
It is okay to postpone the conversation.
You may decline talking to an insurance adjuster. You have the right to answer their questions with your attorney and you may tell them that you will not talk to them without your attorney present.
If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a car accident, we may be able to help you. Call our Bakersfield Personal Injury Law Firm at (661) 777-7575 or 800-585-9262 (toll free) for a no fee consultation. Our Kern County car accident attorneys speak English or Spanish.