What Should I Do If an Insurance Company Contacts Me?

After a car accident, many people may have no idea what to do if the other driver’s insurance company calls them. It’s easy to feel apprehensive about the whole situation, especially after being involved in a car crash. However, as you will see through this article, you are under no obligation to disclose any information requested by the other party’s insurance company.

If an insurance company is contacting you or a loved one following a car accident, we can help. Let our experience, skill, and dedication work for you. To learn more about your case in a free, confidential consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers, call us today at (805) 643-5555.

What to Do If an Insurance Company Contacts You

It is possible that you receive a phone call from an insurance company right after a car accident. Many times, it is the other party’s insurance company that is approaching you. Insurance companies may want to know what happened in the crash, what the cause of it was, and to possibly get a statement from you. This strategy is employed as a means to justify either a low-ball offer to cover your losses, or to flat-out negate any compensation. Many people feel apprehensive, fearful, or confused in the event of an unexpected insurance company call.

You may ask yourself whether you have to provide information to the insurance company or if you can simply hang up your end of the call. No; you are in no way obligated to answer any question put to you by the other party’s insurance company. In other words, if the insurance company representative gives you a call, you don’t have to answer. However, you can contact the at-fault party’s insurance company to get the compensation you are entitled. Most of the time, this can be done through your attorney.

There may be instances where the at-fault party will not provide their insurance company with the whole picture. This means the other driver may provide information that does not necessarily match up with the reality of the crash. In such a situation, you may want to contact their insurance company and provide them with complete, accurate information so you can obtain compensation. Your car accident attorney can help you with this task.

What to Do When Contacting the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

There are certain things you should keep in mind whenever you decide to contact the other driver’s insurance company. Remember that their insurance company does not work for you or take your best interest into account. In most of these cases, insurance companies have one goal in mind: to pay you as little as they can – or nothing, if possible.

You may wonder how these companies can avoid paying you for your injuries after a car accident. The answer is simple: strategizing. When another driver’s insurance company contacts you, they do it to find facts that justify negating compensation or paying as little money possible. Most of the time, the insurance company will try to contact you and ask to record the call. This is a trick question, and they will try to use an amicable tone to lure you into consenting to the recording. However, you should know that you don’t have to consent. Anything you say to the insurance company at that moment can be used as a basis to deny compensation.

For instance, an insurer may ask you something in the lines of, “How are you feeling right now?” You, giving the natural response, may say, “I feel fine, thank you,” without realizing that this is enough for them to show that you are not injured. You may then find that they refuse to grant the compensation you deserve. Instead, make sure to provide your lawyer with all the information related to your accident so they can do the talking on your behalf.

Insurance companies may employ other methods, such as sending you a letter. Many times, insurance company adjusters may want you to sign a document which can allow them to look into your medical history. Many people make the mistake of signing and sending the letter just because the letter itself is marked, “Sign and return.” Do not fall for this tactic; consult with your lawyer so you can understand your rights and the best way to proceed.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me?

After a car accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many issues you need to take care of. From paperwork and insurance to filing a personal injury claim, it may seem like your situation has no end. A skilled, dedicated lawyer will take care of the process while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

Most of these processes involve steps that may be confusing for people with no legal training or experience. Your lawyer will work for you and dedicate his or her efforts to upholding your rights and defending your interests. Therefore, you should always have a dedicated personal injury lawyer by your side who understands how legal proceedings work.

Personal Injury Attorneys Offering Free Consultations in Ventura and Santa Barbara

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, you need immediate legal assistance. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys can help you hold the liable parties accountable for your losses. Our dedicated attorneys will fight aggressively and strategically to get compensation for things such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Don’t let your injuries change the course of your life. To discuss your case in a free, private consultation, call our law offices today at (805) 643-5555.