After a car accident or other motor vehicle accident, many people will probably reach out to you—and not just your friends and family members. After a crash, a representative from your or the other driver’s insurance company will probably call or email you to ask about the accident.
You may believe that there is no harm in giving a statement to an insurance company, but the opposite is true. In fact, you should never speak with an insurance company after an injury.
Insurers do not have your best interests in mind
Insurance companies are for-profit corporations that have one priority: making money. Insurers are notorious for offering low-ball settlements that do not cover the damages to which victims are entitled—even if the victim is a policyholder with the company.
Representatives for insurance providers have ways of getting people to inadvertently admit fault for an accident, which allows the insurer to offer a lower settlement than the victim needs. In fact, some insurance providers even deny perfectly valid claims for no good reason.
What to do instead
If an insurance company contacts you, you do not have to reply. It is in your best interests not to give any sort of statement, even if you had no fault in the accident. Instead, you have the right to contact a personal injury attorney.
An attorney can communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf, protecting your rights and advocating for the highest amount of compensation available to you. In addition, attorneys understand the many administrative steps involved in the insurance settlement process. When necessary, an attorney can also represent you in a personal injury claim.
