Any time you’ve been in an accident, from getting into a crash on The Perimeter to slipping and falling at Publix or being bitten by the neighbor’s dog, you’ll have to deal with an insurance company—at least one. Usually, you’ll end up talking to one or more of your own insurance carriers, plus that of any defendants (the party responsible for your harm). Talking to your own insurance company after an accident may be unavoidable; if you fail to tell your auto carrier you were in a wreck, for example, you may invalidate your policy.
However, you have the right to refuse to comment to the other party’s insurance adjuster. You also have the right to consult a lawyer before talking to any insurance carrier beyond what you must explain to your own.
If you’re worried about what to do and say after an accident, you’re not alone. The advice and guidance of a skilled Tucker car accident lawyer can help you understand your obligations to the insurance company and advise you on how to handle communications with it.
Call a lawyer—but do it fast
You’ll probably hear from the other party’s insurance company within 24-48 hours of the accident. Depending on the accident you were involved in, you may also have to notify your insurer fairly soon. It’s in your best interest to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible so they can begin advocating for your interests in your case and investigating the situation to determine the other party’s liability and your right to compensation.
Why should I talk to my insurance company right after an accident?
First, you may have benefits available through your insurance company, even if someone else is liable for it. Secondly, your insurance company may be a valuable ally against allegations from the other party’s insurer, who may claim you caused the accident. If this happens, your insurance company would have to pay for the other party’s losses, and they certainly don’t want to do that.
In the meantime, your insurance company can step in and get you into a rental car, ensure immediate medical treatment, and help in other ways. Once the other party has been established to be at fault for the accident, your insurance carrier can pursue separate legal action to get the money it spent back.
What to say when you can’t avoid talking to the insurance company after an accident
When you talk to your insurance adjuster, tell them the facts of the accident and any other information your insurance carrier requires you to disclose.
However, you don’t owe anything to the other driver’s insurance. You’re not its customer, and its interests are not aligned with yours. You can acknowledge that their client harmed you but refrain from making a statement. The insurance adjuster will seek any reason to deny your claim or maximize the percentage of fault you contributed to the accident and can twist your words into an admission of fault. Simply inform the other party’s insurance company that you’re working with a lawyer and that your lawyer will contact them.
When you work with the Tucker, GA, personal injury attorneys at Fox Injury Law, you’re welcome to refer any communication from the other party to our firm. We’ll represent your interests with the other party’s insurance company (and yours, too), build a strong case of negligence against the at-fault party, file your suit for damages, and negotiate the highest possible settlement available for your claim. Contact us at (404) 777-7778 for a free consultation.
