What will my insurance company ask me after a car accident?
By harmonsonlaw on April 7th, 2021 in
Talking to your insurance company after a car accident can be stressful. While they’re theoretically there to help you, we all know that, in reality, insurance companies will try to minimize the amount they have to pay out in settlements.
For this reason, it can help to go into a conversation with your insurance company with an idea of what they’re going to ask you. And it’s essential that you talk to an experienced New Mexico car accident attorney before signing any documents or giving an official recorded or written statement.
Clark Harmonson has been exclusively representing victims of injuries from car accidents for 17 years, and he’s seen every tactic that an insurance company can use. Here is his list of common questions your insurance company might ask you after an accident, and which questions you shouldn’t answer. The first thing your insurance company is going to do is ask some basic fact-finding questions about the accident.
Here are the basics you can expect:
- When and where was the accident?
- Who was involved in the accident– passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, etc.?
- What happened?
- How much damage did your vehicle sustain?
- Were you or any passengers injured?
- Who was at fault for the accident?
- Did you file a police report?
- Did you get medical attention?
All of these questions are information that your insurance company will need to know in order for you to file a claim. Answer them to the best of your ability, but make sure not to admit any fault. Doing so will allow your insurance company to deny your claim immediately. While this initial inquiry is pretty standard procedure, there are also some other tactics that insurance companies might use to deny your coverage.
For example, if your insurance company asks you to make an official recorded statement or sign a written statement, it’s important to say no until you’ve spoken with your Las Cruces car accident attorney.
Similarly, never sign any form that includes medical authorization without consulting an attorney first. These medical authorizations give your insurance company full authority to look through your medical history and find something they can claim as a “pre-existing condition” that caused your injuries.
Finally, it’s important to know that you are not obligated to talk to the other driver’s insurance agency. This agency’s only goal will be to find some piece of evidence to blame you for the accident or prevent you from getting coverage.
If you get a call from the other driver’s insurance company, talk to your attorney immediately. While it can certainly be stressful dealing with insurance companies after a car accident, you are not alone. A New Mexico attorney like Clark Harmonson will be able to steer you around the curves of an insurance claim and protect you from any underhanded insurance company tactics. Contact the Harmonson Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
