Tips for Talking With Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
When drivers are involved in a car accident, they must file a claim with their insurance company. Even though a driver’s insurance company is meant to represent them, many drivers are nervous about speaking with an insurance agent. They often worry that insurance companies will wrongfully put accident blame on them, or that they will say something to compromise their claim.
Car accident attorneys Randy Akin and Greg Burton offer helpful tips for talking with insurance companies after a car accident. These guidelines can help our Longview, TX, clients avoid post-accident missteps that could be costly.
Provide Factual Information
Lying to an insurance company about the facts of an accident is not only illegal, it is simply a bad idea. Insurance companies will conduct a thorough investigation of a car accident, often speaking with other involved insurance companies, consulting with accident witnesses, and possibly checking with any available camera footage of the accident. If a driver is caught lying about an accident, their claim may be automatically denied.
Drivers should provide their insurance company with basic accident details, as well as information about who else was involved in the accident, whether a police report was taken, and if there were any witnesses to the accident. Any further questions that an insurance provider has should be answered truthfully.
Do Not Offer Extra Details
While it is important that drivers are truthful with insurance companies about the facts of an accident, they should not get into extra details surrounding the crash. It is a good idea to stick to the general facts, and to provide no more details than those that are asked for.
Extra information could confuse the situation or be easily misinterpreted. It can also be easy to mix up the specifics surrounding an accident, which could make it look like individuals are being dishonest with their insurance provider.
Do Not Admit Fault
Even if a driver believes they are at fault for an accident, they should not admit blame when speaking to an insurance company. There are many complex laws that need to be considered when determining accident liability.
Longview drivers may not be aware of mitigating circumstances that put another person or party at fault for the car crash. Drivers should provide the information needed and then let the insurance company do their own investigation to determine accident liability.
Tips for Talking With Other Driver’s Insurance Companies
It is not uncommon for drivers to be contacted by other drivers’ insurance companies after a car accident. It is important to understand that individuals are not legally required to speak with any insurance representative other than their own.
If drivers choose to speak to an adjuster from another insurance company, they should consider these tips:
- Stick to the basics
Avoid relaying details of the accident or resulting injuries - Consider having your own insurance representative involved in the conversation
- Do not admit fault for the accident
- Do not accept any settlement offer without consulting with your insurance company or, preferably, an attorney
Contact Our Law Firm
To discuss the details of your car accident with attorneys Randy Akin and Greg Burton, send us a message online or call our office in Longview at (903) 297-8929.