Even though you know you are not at fault in a car accident, insurance companies and other parties involved are always listening carefully to what you say.
Statements like “sorry” or “I did see the car” made at the accident scene or over the phone with an insurance company can be problematic to your case.
Insurance companies have rejected claims based on language mentioned above by people representing themselves without counsel or lawyers.
For example, a typical claim filed by someone involved in a car accident that is not their fault might think or say out loud:
“Hey Insurance Company, the car you insured hit my car causing damage to my vehicle and caused me personal injury. I need for you to pay all the money it takes to make this right.”
-Injured Driver
When a claim is rejected by an insurance company, it results in:
- NO payment to the wrecking service that towed your vehicle
- NO repairs to your vehicle
- NO money for a rental car, and/or
- NO money for your injuries
When it comes to insurance companies, you can bet every word you say is being recorded.
For example, when the insurance company asks, “When you saw the other car, was it before the accident happened?” If you say “YES”, it is likely the insurance company will shift all or part of the fault in the accident to YOU… resulting in a rejection of your claim.
Your statements could be recorded by the other driver, witnesses, and/or police officers taking the report and statements. Your statements to insurance companies (both yours and the other driver’s) are absolutely recorded.
What should I say after a car accident?
You might be thinking – “How is talking about my car accident and my personal property with people, police officers, and insurance companies a problem if the accident was not my fault? What do I say then? My nerves are all chaotic and now it is my responsibility to watch what I say?”
First, stay calm. If the accident really wasn’t your fault, you have nothing to hide. I would advise you to call our office so that we can make the claim for you, making all the communications with the insurance company come through us first.
What happens if I do end up saying something problematic?
Luckily, attorneys like myself have experience addressing these statements to attempt to undo or overcome any damage to a claim created by statements mentioned during the claim process by those suffering from accidents.
You can contact our office if you have questions after you’ve been involved in a car accident.