Talking to Insurance Companies After an Accident 

When you suffer injuries in an accident, you’ll probably make a claim for compensation. Your own words could inadvertently weaken your claim. 

Talking to insurance companies after an accident is risky, even if it’s your own insurer. Talk to a lawyer before speaking to an insurance company representative, or better yet, let a lawyer do the talking for you.

Make Timely Reports After Car Accidents

When you have a car accident, you must report the incident to your insurer. All drivers must have liability coverage in almost every state, but your insurer is not obliged to cover you if it does not receive timely notice of the incident.

Your liability policy will state how long you have before you must report an accident. However, reporting the accident is not the same as giving a recorded statement. You can tell your insurance representative there was a crash and pass along the other driver’s information, but you can decline to make a recorded statement when you make your initial report.

Why Not Give Recorded Statements?

Whether you were involved in a vehicle crash or some other type of accident, an insurance company will be paying any claim you make. Their focus is on paying as little as possible, and they will use any means at their disposal to limit or even deny your claim.

Giving a recorded statement without adequate preparation can give the insurer ammunition that they will turn against you. The people conducting the interview are trained to make you feel comfortable, and when you’ve been through a traumatic event, you may need to talk it through many times to process it.

During a recorded interview with an insurer, you might inadvertently say something that could be construed as an admission of fault. In most states, your damages can be limited or even eliminated if you bear some responsibility for the accident.

A Lawyer Can Help 

Whenever you suffer injuries in an accident that was not your fault—or mostly someone else’s fault— you should consult a lawyer. A legal professional can explain your rights, determine whether you have a viable case, and help you maximize your compensation if you decide to move forward.

They can walk you through how to handle a recorded call with your insurance company. The specifics will depend on the situation, but generally, you should provide the insurer with the information it needs to investigate the accident without offering opinions, suppositions, or admissions of responsibility.

Better yet, once you have hired an attorney to pursue your case, they handle all communications with the insurance company. You may be able to avoid giving a recorded statement entirely.

Let an Experienced Attorney Guide Your Communications With Insurers After an Accident

You won’t be at your best in the days following an accident, and insurance companies could take advantage. Limit the risks of talking to insurance companies after an accident by working with an experienced lawyer. If you are in Florida, the attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright—The Florida Firm— can guide you. Call us today!