The moment the dust settles after a crash, one of the first calls you’ll probably make is to your insurance company. And this is where most people go wrong. Talking to your insurance company seems like a simple thing; you’re just telling them what happened, right? But it’s more complicated than that.
The way you communicate with them can directly affect whether you get the compensation you deserve. And you might walk away with less than what your accident really cost you, simply because you weren’t fully aware of what to do after a car accident.
Only Answer What’s Asked (Don’t Volunteer Information)
After a crash, you’re probably rattled and not thinking clearly. When you finally speak to your insurance adjuster, you might feel the urge to tell them everything. You might want to explain every single detail, just to be helpful or honest. Don’t.
Only answer what they ask. If they say, “What time did the crash happen?” you say the time. If they ask, “Were there other passengers?” you answer yes or no. That’s it. Don’t add, “I was in a hurry because I was late for work,” or “I had just picked up my friend from the airport.”
Those details, while innocent, can later be twisted into something that weakens your claim.
Never Agree to a Recorded Statement Without Legal Advice
When an insurance adjuster asks if they can record your statement, you can say no. In fact, you should say no. It sounds harmless, but it’s not.
If you say something casually, maybe you forget a detail or contradict yourself later, which can be used against you. Insurance adjusters know how to find gaps in your statement and use them to reduce your settlement.
Be Careful with Your Words
You might feel like saying, “I’m sorry,” or even something like, “I didn’t see the other car,” just to be polite. Don’t.
Even if you think you were at fault, don’t say it. Because here’s the truth: you don’t know all the factors yet. Maybe the other driver was speeding, or maybe a traffic light was malfunctioning. If you admit fault early, even partially, it becomes very difficult to walk it back.
Your insurance company will take your statement as fact and adjust your claim or deny it based on what you said.
Honesty Is Still Non-Negotiable
Being careful doesn’t mean you should lie or stretch the truth. That can blow back in a serious way. If the insurance company catches even a small lie, your entire claim can lose credibility. So, yes, answer questions carefully. But also, be truthful. Don’t exaggerate; don’t downplay. Just give them straight, honest answers to the questions they ask.
Don’t Talk About Your Injuries Too Soon
You might feel fine after the crash. Or maybe you’re just trying to be polite when someone asks, “How are you feeling?” and you say, “I’m okay.” But be careful because that kind of comment can be used against you later.
You shouldn’t describe your injuries to your insurance company before you’ve seen a doctor and had a full checkup. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bruising, don’t show up right away. If you say, “I’m fine,” and later discover a serious issue, your insurance company might say you’re making it up or exaggerating.
Wait until you’ve had proper medical evaluations, then let your lawyer handle the communication from there.
Don’t Share Names, Don’t Share Details
You might be asked to give the names and contact info of people who were at the scene, your family, or even your doctor. It might sound routine, but don’t do it. Insurance companies sometimes contact those people behind your back, trying to dig up something they can use to discredit your claim.
Also, don’t talk about the accident with friends, family, or on social media. If you say, “So glad we’re okay!” in a post, that could be interpreted as you saying no one was seriously injured, even if that’s not what you meant.
Let Your Lawyer Speak for You
You have every right to talk to your insurance company yourself, but it’s not always smart. A personal injury lawyer knows what to say and what to avoid.
They know the traps insurance companies set and how to sidestep them. That’s why it’s almost always better to let your attorney take over communication.
Even just saying you have a lawyer can change how an insurance company treats your claim. If they know you’re going it alone, they might offer a quick, low settlement and hope you don’t notice you’re being shortchanged.
