If you have been involved in a car accident and have recently been contacted by the other driver’s insurance company, you likely are wondering whether or not you should speak to them about the incident. It’s important to understand that any information you share can be used to devalue or deny your claim. Keep reading to learn how to handle encounters with insurance adjusters and why connecting with a skilled Prince George’s County Auto Accident Lawyer is in your best interest.
Do I Have to Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
Generally, state laws and the terms of your insurance policy dictate who you are legally required to cooperate with after a car accident. At a minimum, you’ll be required to stay at the accident scene and exchange information such as your insurance coverage details and contact information with those involved in the collision. Additionally, you’ll have to speak to the responding police officers. They will likely ask you to provide your driver’s license number, your vehicle registration, and insurance information. They will ask a few questions regarding how the accident happened, so they can prepare a police report.
Regardless of what type of car accident you were involved in, you are under no legal obligation to speak with the other driver’s insurance company. While you don’t have to speak to the other driver’s insurance company, you will have to contact your insurer and notify them within a reasonable amount of time about the incident. However, this doesn’t mean an insurance adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company won’t try to contact you fairly soon after the collision to discuss the incident. As such, you should be prepared to handle this interaction to protect your rights.
What Should I Say?
If you do choose to speak to the other driver’s insurance representative, it’s in your best interest to keep the conversation brief and stick to the facts. Insurance adjusters are trained to employ tactics to devalue or deny your claim. Essentially, their primary goal is to manage your claim most favorably for their employer, the other driver’s insurance company. No matter how you feel or how insignificant the damage may seem, you should never tell the other driver’s insurance company that you feel fine. You should only answer what is being asked, and avoid elaborating or speculating about anything regarding your case. Refrain from saying anything that could be misconstrued as admitting fault for the accident. Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means if you were partially at fault for your injuries, you would face the absolute bar of recovery.
If the adjuster asks you to provide a recorded state, you should decline as this could sabotage your case if you recall things differently later or misspeak. Even if they initially come off as polite, it’s important to remember they are not on your side. They may try to offer you a settlement. However, you should refrain from accepting an initial settlement offer as it’s usually a lowball amount that won’t accurately reflect the actual value of your claim.
Following a car accident, it’s in your best interest to consult an experienced lawyer from Timian & Fawcett, LLC, who can help you navigate interactions with insurance adjusters and fight for the justice you deserve.
