While it is true that one of the worst parts about getting into an accident is the physical recovery that you will need to do after you were injured, many people report this as being one of the most stressful times in their lives because of everything they have to deal with following an accident. You may feel that you are getting bombarded from all sides, whether it is from the other driver, their insurance agent, your insurance agent, and family and friends who want to know that you are doing okay. When this happens, you may be tempted to just tell everything as much as possible and move on so people stop asking questions. However, this can be a dangerous approach when you are trying to show that the other party was negligent.
Speaking With Your Own Insurance Company
Most people hear that they should avoid speaking with insurance agents after an accident so that they do not destroy their chance of receiving compensation. This is only true to an extent. In fact, as a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer from a law firm like Ward & Ward Law Firm knows, you will likely have a legal obligation to speak with your insurance company to report certain information about the accident. Every insurance company’s policy will be different but if you signed an agreement with an insurance company, you must abide by their policy. That said, it does not mean you have to divulge so much information that you end up shooting yourself in the foot.
But, isn’t my own insurance company on my side?
You would think so, right? Not really. No insurance company is on any side except their own. Even the insurance company you are paying to “protect you” after you have been in an accident still wants to make sure they are covering themselves first and foremost. Many insurance companies will be more than happy to raise premiums after an accident regardless of whose fault the accident was.
What should I avoid saying?
The two most important things you should avoid saying to your insurance agents are these:
- I caused the accident
- I have not suffered from any injuries
If you say these statements, then the case is closed. Even if you are unsure of what happened in the stress of the moment, never admit fault. Further, when you call your insurance agent right after the accident happened, you may be dealing with injuries you do not even know about yet. Give yourself the opportunity to assess your situation. Let your agent know you were in an accident and that you plan to receive prompt medical attention. Once you do this, get medical help and then speak with a lawyer about filing a personal injury claim.
Are you looking for representation you can count on after an accident? Reach out to a local lawyer to see what they can do for you when it comes to insurance agents and receiving compensation from a personal injury claim.
