If you’ve just been in a car accident, your first instinct might be to talk to the insurance company and get everything off your chest. That’s natural. You’re upset, shaken, maybe in pain, and you just want things to be resolved quickly. But before you pick up that phone or answer any questions, there are a few incredibly important things you need to understand. Talking to the insurance company too soon or saying the wrong thing can seriously hurt your chances of getting the compensation in full.
Insurance companies aren’t just here to help you. Yes, that may be hard to hear, but it’s true. Their job is to protect their profits. That means they’ll often try to close your case quickly and as cheaply as possible. They may seem polite and even sympathetic over the phone, but remember, every word you say can and likely will be used to minimize your claim.
They’re trained to look for ways to shift blame onto you, reduce what they owe you, or even deny your claim entirely. That’s why it’s extremely important that you do not fail to consult a car accident attorney before giving any detailed statements.
Don’t Admit Fault in Any Way or Form
One of the biggest mistakes people make after a crash is admitting fault, even just a little bit. You might think saying something like “I should’ve been paying more attention” or “It was partly my fault” makes you sound honest. But from the insurance company’s point of view, it gives them an excuse to pay you less or nothing at all.
You’re not lying if you choose not to admit blame. You’re simply protecting yourself. The investigation will determine what really happened.
You don’t need to make it easier for the insurance company to pin the blame on you.
Avoid Giving Opinions About the Crash
It’s very tempting to explain your side of the story. You want them to understand what really happened. But then again, your opinion about how or why the accident happened isn’t solid evidence. It’s just your perspective.
Insurance adjusters will listen closely for anything they can twist around and use against you. They might even let you talk for a long time just to catch one little thing they can use to cast doubt on your claim.
Unless you’re sharing facts backed by evidence, and only after your lawyer approves it, don’t talk about what you “think” caused the accident. If you don’t know the answer to something, it’s perfectly okay to just say, “I don’t know.”
Don’t Talk About Substance Use
Even if you had a drink the night before or took a prescription drug that morning, don’t mention it. If the police did any tests, it’ll be in the official report. There’s no need to say anything unless your lawyer tells you to.
Actually, insurance companies love to use this type of information to shift blame or deny claims.
And sometimes, you might not even be aware that something in your medical report could be used to make it seem like you were impaired. So stay quiet on anything related to alcohol, medication, or drugs, be it legal or illegal.
Say No to Recorded Statements
You don’t have to agree to a recorded statement, even if they make it seem like it’s standard procedure. In fact, giving a recorded statement is one of the easiest ways to hurt your claim.
Once it’s recorded, they can go over it again and again, looking for contradictions. They can pull out a sentence you said in a certain tone and use it to argue against you later.
Politely decline if they ask. You can simply say you’re not ready to give a statement yet.
Don’t Let Them Know You Don’t Have a Lawyer
If they find out you’re not represented, they’re more likely to push you into a lowball deal or get you to say things that hurt your claim. That’s why it’s smart to keep that to yourself. And if you have already found a lawyer, direct all communication to them. They know how to deal with insurance companies and protect your rights.
Talking to the insurance company after an accident might seem like the next logical step, but it’s full of risks. Every word you say can be used against you, even if you don’t realize it.
The best thing you can do is protect yourself and say as little as possible, don’t sign anything without advice, and most importantly, get in touch with an accident attorney who knows exactly how to handle these situations.
