What You Should Know About Speaking to an Insurance Company After a Car Accident

Following a car accident, you will need to negotiate with the other driver’s auto insurance company to establish your case, prove their negligence, and recover the compensation you deserve. The process of resolving your claim may involve a conversation with an insurance adjuster. During this conversation, the insurance adjuster will try to get your account of the events. There are some things you should keep in mind to ensure your conversation with the insurance adjuster helps your case rather than hurts it.

What Will the Insurance Company Ask?

To start your conversation, the insurance company will ask for general information about you and your car. Beyond the initial introduction, they will ask specific questions about the accident and your injuries.

The insurance company may ask you questions such as:

• When and where did the accident occur?
• What kind of damage did your vehicle sustain?
• What injuries did you sustain and how are you being treated?
• What do you believe caused the accident?
• Were you under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident?
• Were you wearing your seatbelt?
• Were you using your cellphone?
• Did you receive medical attention after the collision?
• Did you file a police report?

The insurance adjuster may also inquire about other aspects of your life not related to the accident to identify other potential causes of your injury. They may ask about your medical history, the physical demands of your job, and other activities you participate in.

Should I Speak to the Insurance Company on My Own?

When the insurance company contacts you, they will likely try to have you speak to them alone, without the assistance of your attorney. You are under no obligation to speak to the insurance adjuster alone, and doing this is not advised. The insurance adjuster may attempt to make you admit fault or say something that could be interpreted as evidence of your fault. If they ask to speak with you and your attorney is not available, you can politely decline and reschedule for another time when your legal counsel can contribute.

What Should I Do if the Insurance Company Asks to Record My Statement?

You are also not obligated to have your conversation with the insurance company recorded, especially if your attorney is not present. A recorded statement can provide “evidence” of your supposed fault if the insurance adjuster does ask you misleading questions. Again, you can ask to reschedule in this situation.

The attorneys of McHargue & Jones, LLC can assist you with the legal processes following a car accident. Reach out to our team to discuss the details of your case.