After being involved in a car accident, the other driver’s insurance company may try to contact you. As a general rule, we recommend our clients not to speak to the other driver’s insurance company without consulting a personal injury lawyer first. Some insurance companies may try to talk to the other party involved in the accident in order to find information that could devalue their claim. Therefore, it’s highly recommended for claimants to be wary of insurance companies and talk with their car accident attorneys.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, call The Law Place today. An experienced car accident attorney can guide you through the legal process and offer legal advice about what to do after your accident. Insurance companies tend to prioritize profits, whereas we prioritize the interests of our clients.
During a free consultation, your car accident lawyer will review your case and determine if your claim is strong enough to seek compensation. If it is, your attorney will calculate how much you may be entitled to claim and fight tirelessly to ensure you receive it. Our legal team has 75 years of combined experience across multiple practice areas, so we know the most effective ways to get the settlement that you deserve.
Call us at (941) 444-4444 to schedule your free consultation with one of our top attorneys today.
Why Shouldn’t I Speak to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
When the at-fault driver’s insurance company reaches out to the other party involved, they are normally looking for a way to avoid paying out large sums of money to the claimant. In other words, the other driver’s insurer is not calling to help you receive the compensation you may be owed, but to reduce or eliminate the payout, they may have to pay you.
After your motor vehicle accident, an insurance adjuster from the at-fault driver’s insurer may call you. Claimants should be aware that the insurance adjuster may ask for a recorded statement from you. Some insurance adjusters promise that giving a recorded statement can speed up the legal process. However, this isn’t strictly true. We highly recommend not talking to insurance adjusters or giving a recorded statement as what you say can be used to devalue your claim.
An insurance adjuster may compare what you said in your police report to your recorded statement in order to look for inconsistencies. Recorded statements are often used by an insurance company if the claim goes to trial as evidence of these inconsistencies. Memories can get hazy over time, so you are more likely to unwittingly give incorrect information in your recorded statement, and this can be used against you.
What Should I Say to the Insurance Company of the at-Fault Driver?
When talking to the other insurance company, it’s important to be cautious. Insurance adjusters are good at getting claimants to give information about their case without even realizing it. Here’s what to do when speaking to the other driver’s insurance provider:
- Ask for information about the insurance provider, including the name of the insurance adjuster you’re speaking to.
- You can provide them with your contact details, including your phone number. However, we recommend telling the insurance adjuster to contact your own insurance company rather than give them personal details.
- Don’t give information about any details about how the accident happened or the injuries you sustained.
- Don’t agree to give a recorded statement.
- Tell them not to contact you again.
- Remember, you don’t have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company, and we recommend ignoring their call.
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You Must File a Claim With Your Own Insurance Company
After your car crash, you are legally required to inform your insurance company about the accident. Under Florida Statute 627.7407, Florida is a no-fault state, meaning you’ll have to first file a claim with your insurance company before seeking compensation elsewhere.
What’s more, under Florida Statute 627.736, you must seek medical assistance within 14 days of the accident occurring if seeking compensation to cover medical bills. Your insurance company may ask you to give a recorded statement to detail the events before the auto accident occurred and any injuries you may have sustained.
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Dealing With Your Own Insurance Company
When reporting your car accident to your insurance company, it’s important to stay vigilant. Your insurance company may try to devalue or decrease your claim in a similar way to the other person’s insurance company.
Under Florida Statute 768.81, the state operates using a comparative negligence law, meaning that more than one party can be held liable for an auto accident. If you are found to be partially liable for the accident, your settlement may be reduced. Your insurance provider might try to place some liability on the claimant even if they were not at fault in order to reduce the final settlement they have to pay.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Damages Could I Claim After a Car Accident?
Many drivers involved in a car crash can claim compensation to cover damages they may have sustained. Damages that a personal injury lawyer can help you claim include:
- Medical bills.
- Lost wages.
- Property damage.
- Pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death.
An attorney at The Law Place can offer invaluable advice on how to deal with insurance providers and help you recover compensation for the damages you have sustained. Call our law firm today to speak to one of our skilled attorneys today.
Should I Give a Statement to the at-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company After a Car Wreck? FAQ
Should I give a statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company after a car wreck?
It’s generally not advisable to give a statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company immediately after a car wreck without first consulting your own insurance agent or a lawyer. The at-fault driver’s insurance company might use your statement to minimize their liability and reduce the amount they pay for your insurance claim.
Why should I avoid giving a statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company?
The insurance claim process is complex, and anything you say to the at-fault driver’s insurance company can be used against you. They may try to get you to admit fault or downplay your injuries and damages, which can negatively impact your ability to get your car fixed or cover medical treatment costs.
What should I do instead of giving a statement?
- Consult Your Insurance Agent – Speak with your own insurance agent about the accident. They can guide you on the best course of action.
- Seek Legal Advice – Contact an attorney with experience in automobile accident claims in Florida. They can advise you on how to handle communications with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Document Everything – Keep detailed records of the accident, including photos, medical treatment, and any conversations with the other driver and their insurance company.
Where can I find more information on handling car accidents?
For more information on handling car accidents, including the insurance claim process, visit The Law Place’s blog posts. Our blog offers a wealth of information on automobile accident claims, or you can call us for a free consultation.
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
- Seek Medical Attention – Ensure you and any passengers receive medical treatment for any injuries.
- Call the Police – A police officer will document the accident scene and file a report, which is crucial for your insurance claim.
- Gather Information – Collect contact and insurance details from the other driver, and take photos of the accident scene and damages.
- Notify Your Insurance Company – Report the accident to your own insurance agent promptly.
What if the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts me?
Politely decline to give a statement and inform them that you will have your lawyer or insurance agent handle all communications. This helps protect your rights and ensures that you do not inadvertently admit fault or make statements that could harm your claim.
Why is it important to have a lawyer when dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company?
An experienced personal injury lawyer understands the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts. They can:
- Advise You – Provide guidance on how to communicate with insurance companies.
- Negotiate on Your Behalf – Handle all interactions with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek fair compensation.
- Protect Your Rights – Ensure that you receive the medical attention and financial support you need without being unfairly pressured or misled.
What should I do if I need help with my car accident claim?
Contact The Law Place for a free consultation. Our team of experienced attorneys can guide you through the insurance claim process, help you get your car fixed, and ensure you receive the medical treatment you need. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact The Law Place Today
Knowing what to do after a car crash can be difficult. Insurance providers may seem like they want to award their clients the highest amount of compensation possible for the claim, but this is often not the case. It’s important to be cautious of what you say to both your insurer and the other driver’s insurance company, as more often than not, they will use the information that claimants provide to deny claims made by their clients. These companies want to avoid having to pay out large sums of money to claimants.
At The Law Place, we highly recommend that car accident victims seek legal representation as soon as possible. An attorney will review your case and help you win a fair settlement. We pride ourselves on our impressive track record and ability to get our clients the best possible outcome for their case. Our attorney-client relationship is very important to us, which is why we provide claimants with constant updates on their case, so they know exactly what is happening with their claim.
Our phone lines are always open, so you can call us whenever you want. Call our law firm today at (941) 444-4444 to schedule your free consultation with a top personal injury lawyer.
