You should be as honest as possible with insurance companies, but that doesn’t imply revealing unsolicited information. Trying to be too specific may result in errors, mistakes, and admitting fault.
Filing a car accident lawsuit is a bit tricky, so you should avoid saying certain things to an insurance company. You are required to report the details of the accident, but you should avoid discussing your injuries or who was at fault for the accident. It’s always best to discuss the specifics of your case with an attorney who can advise you on what to tell the insurance company.
Experts also recommend avoiding any contact with the other party’s insurance company, but you’re probably required by state law to report most accidents that involve injuries or third-party property damage to your own insurance company. Report briefly on the facts without offering your opinion.
Things to Avoid Telling an Insurer
Many people have no-fault insurance, but that doesn’t mean you should willingly supply all the details to your own insurance company. You are probably unqualified to discuss your injuries and the long-term prospect of medical and rehabilitation expenses.
Insurance companies are often quick to make a lowball offer, but determining real-world expenses and damages is best left to experienced experts. The following information or opinions should not be discussed with an insurance company:
- Avoid immediate notification. Notifying your insurance company immediately after an accident is a common choice because drivers are worried about their health, automobile, and injuries. However, that could be a mistake. After an accident, drivers and passengers might be in shock and under great stress. That’s not a good time to deal with important decisions that could impact your financial wellbeing. Insurance companies want to settle quickly and as cheaply as possible, but you need to consider your health and financial security.
- Never admit fault. The accident will generally be investigated by the insurance company, police department, and lawyers for both parties. Using measurements and other concrete data, adjusters will uncover who was at fault. There’s simply no possible advantage to admitting fault; the truth will likely become obvious. You might not even be aware of the real cause of the accident, and there could be extenuating circumstances that affect liability.
- Don’t tell an insurer that you weren’t injured. Many injuries don’t manifest immediately after an accident. These types of injuries often include back, spine, and neck injuries. Internal injuries seldom generate immediate symptoms. Whiplash is a specific type of injury that often shows up later. Telling an insurance company that you were uninjured is generally a mistake. After an accident, you have the right to a medical examination for possible injuries, and you can admit that you are seeing a doctor. You shouldn’t lie to insurance companies, but you should avoid discussing injuries based on your own opinion. Get a medical exam and the diagnosis with a personal injury attorney.
- Avoid giving an official statement or signing any paperwork. Insurance companies can put pressure on you to agree to a settlement for fast processing. Giving any kind of official statement or agreeing to a settlement can destroy your chances to win a fair settlement for all your injuries.
- Don’t provide insurance companies with seemingly harmless information. Giving them the names and contact information of relatives is not recommended. Insurance companies often interview relatives to discover whether you are exhibiting symptoms of injuries or are continuing to pursue aggressive physical activities. Avoid giving insurance companies information about doctors, family members, and close friends.
- Don’t “guess” or estimate your injuries. If you do not know the answer to an insurance company question, it is fine to admit that you don’t know. Don’t lie or exaggerate, but there’s nothing wrong with saying, ”I don’t know yet.”
You should be as honest as possible with insurance companies, but that doesn’t imply revealing unsolicited information. Trying to be too specific may result in errors, mistakes, and admitting fault.
Hiring Someone Who Works on Your Behalf
Since insurance company reps are not your friends, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is critical even if you feel you’ve escaped with just bruises from a fender-bender. Personal injury lawyers have the experience, insider knowledge, and know-how necessary to see that you get the compensation you deserve.
Lawyers consider things you don’t like recurring medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, loss of earning potential, and loss of enjoying life’s pleasures and fight tooth and nail the parties responsible for your injuries (and their insurers) for fair compensation.
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