Avoiding Pitfalls: What Not To Say To Insurance Companies After A Car Crash

If you recently filed an accident claim, you’ll need to negotiate with insurance companies about compensation. Even if the other person’s at fault, one wrong thing you say might reduce your settlement or even have your claim dismissed altogether. Learn more about what to avoid saying to an insurer and ensure your compensation reflects the true extent of your damages.

Why Should You Be Cautious With Insurance Companies?

Most insurance companies are profit-driven. To protect their bottom line, insurers will look for reasons to deny or reduce what they owe you as much as possible. So, when you file a claim for injuries or damages, you can bet the insurance company will find ways to avoid giving you total compensation. For this reason, you need to think carefully about what you tell them. Anything you say can and will be used against your claim if it helps the insurer pay less.

What To Avoid Saying To An Insurer After Your Accident

You need to choose your words carefully and avoid common mistakes. Here are a few things to avoid saying when talking to insurers after your accident:

Don’t Admit Fault Right Away

It’s natural to feel guilty right after a collision. But remember, law enforcement and insurance companies investigate the accident before determining fault. Admitting you were responsible may stop you from recovering damages for your injuries and losses. To avoid problems, stick to the facts and let fault be officially determined once all the evidence is in.

Don’t Speculate About Injuries

In the confusion after an accident, you may not know the extent of your injuries. However, speculating may cause issues down the line. If you have a concussion or severe back injury, the insurer will argue you seemed okay right after the crash. Report symptoms accurately without giving it a specific diagnosis to avoid any issues.

Agreeing to a Quick Settlement

Insurers love to push quick settlements to close claims quickly. But if you sign away your rights before fully recovering, you could leave thousands of dollars on the table. Some injuries like TBIs or chronic pain can also take time to appear. If you settle immediately, you forfeit coverage for future expenses. That said, don’t rush into anything. Tell the insurer you’ll wait until you recover fully before finalizing a specific amount.

Oversharing Details

Insurers want information about the accident, nothing more. Providing random details won’t help your case. If anything, it can hand them something to use against you in court. Stick to relevant facts about the accident and anything else they need for the claim.

Downplaying Your Experience

Similar to speculating on injuries, underplaying the accidents can give insurers the perception that you only have minor injuries. But remember, even minor crashes can cause significant harm, and a small car dent may hide major repairs underneath. Describe what happened factually and let your doctors and mechanics accurately assess injuries and car damage.

Our Attorneys Are Here To Help

If you were injured in an unexpected accident, you don’t need to negotiate with insurance companies alone. Our New York personal injury lawyers can handle all the back-and-forth with insurers while you concentrate on recovering and getting the compensation you deserve. Please contact us online or at (800) 469-7429 to schedule a free consultation today.