In Texas, the car insurance system works by holding the at-fault driver financially responsible for a car accident. When dealing with another driver’s insurance company, it is important to keep in mind that the insurer does not want what is best for you. Getting the compensation you deserve after your accident takes an understanding of how to communicate safely with insurance claims adjusters. Our Laredo insurance claim attorney is invaluable when needing to communicate with adjusters.
Contact the Insurance Company to File Your Car Accident Claim
Since Texas is an “at-fault” state, you will have to contact the at-fault driver’s car insurance provider to report the accident and file your claim. Get the name of the other driver’s car insurance company and the policy number while at the scene of your accident. Contact the insurer as soon as possible to initiate your claim. You should also promptly notify your own car insurance company about the crash.
During your initial conversation with the other driver’s insurance, be careful what you say. Do not admit any fault or say anything that could be misconstrued as a confession of guilt. Do not go into great detail about what happened. Do not talk about your injuries, at least until you’ve seen a doctor. Keep your comments brief and refer any additional questions to your car accident attorney.
Do Not Trust the Insurance Claims Adjuster
The claims adjuster is a representative of the insurance company who will be assigned to your car accident case to investigate and recommend to the insurance provider to either accept or reject the claim. In general, you should not trust an insurance claims adjuster, even if the person sounds friendly over the phone. The adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you.
The insurance adjuster’s job is to save the insurance company money by minimizing the payout for an auto insurance claim. Anything you say to the adjuster can be used against you to reduce your compensation. Rather than running the risk of saying the wrong thing, limit what you say to the adjuster. Stick to the plain facts of your case; do not speculate about fault and do not give more information than is required.
Don’t Give a Recorded Statement
The other driver’s insurance company will ask you to give a statement about the car accident and your injuries, which will be recorded by the insurance provider. You should politely decline to give the recorded statement. It is not required to process your claim, even if the insurance company says it is.
State that you will instead submit a written statement after speaking with your Laredo car accident attorney. The recorded statement is a tactic used by insurance companies to twist your own words around and use them against you later.
Cooperate With the Investigation
The other driver’s insurance company will launch an investigation into the car accident to determine who is at fault. During the investigative period, cooperate with the insurance company as much as you can without accidentally incriminating yourself.
You can protect your rights by hiring a Laredo personal injury lawyer to communicate with the insurance provider for you during the investigation. Your attorney can submit evidence and proof of your losses to the other driver’s insurer without putting your financial recovery at risk.
Contact a Lawyer as Soon as Possible
After a harmful car accident in Texas, you have the right to hire a Laredo motorcycle accident attorney right away to begin protecting your rights and best interests. This is the most effective way to handle conversations with the other driver’s insurance company during the claims process. You can fully trust your attorney to handle your claim in a way that will maximize your financial recovery.
Learn more about the insurance claims process during a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Texas. Contact Gonzalez Druker Law Firm.