Talking to the Insurance Company After a Car Accident
After a serious car accident in Washington, D.C., the other driver’s insurance company may contact you before you’ve even had time to understand how badly you’re hurt. You could still be in the hospital or recovering from surgery when an adjuster starts asking for a recorded statement, paperwork, or access to your medical records.
Unfortunately, we see this all the time. After more than 30 years of helping people seriously injured in car accidents, Attorney Frank Kearney’s advice is simple: be careful about what you say or sign before you understand your rights.
The Insurance Company May Use a Recorded Statement Against You
The other driver’s insurance company is not there to look out for you. Their job is to investigate the accident and limit how much the company pays.
Think about what happens when an adjuster calls while you’re in the hospital, taking pain medication, or still dealing with symptoms from the accident. You might not remember every detail of the crash or forget to mention an injury that becomes more serious a few days later.
Even an innocent mistake or difference in your answers could later be used to question your claim or argue that some of your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.
You don’t have to rush into giving the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement. If you’re being pressured to answer questions or sign something after a serious accident, call us first at 202-393-3320 We can deal with the insurance company for you and help protect your claim.
What If the Insurance Company Threatens to Close Your Claim?
Sometimes, an insurance adjuster may tell you they need your statement immediately or that they’ll close your claim if they don’t hear from you by a certain date. That can sound frightening, especially when you’re already worried about medical bills and missing work.
But an insurance company’s decision to close a claim internally doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost your legal rights. We’ve had clients come to us worried because an adjuster told them their claim was closed. Once our team became involved, communication resumed and the claim moved forward.
Keep in mind that legal deadlines still apply, even if the insurance company closes its file. Don’t let an adjuster’s pressure force you into making a decision before you understand your options.
Let Us Deal With the Insurance Company
If you or someone in your family was hospitalized, needs surgery, or suffered a serious injury in a car accident, we’d be happy to talk with you. Attorney Frank Kearney has more than 30 years of experience helping seriously injured people in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Tell us what happened or call 202-393-3320. We can answer your questions and help you understand what comes next.
Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
In this video, Attorney Frank Kearney explains three common mistakes people make after a car accident, including talking to the insurance adjuster, delaying medical treatment, and settling a case too quickly.
Recursos relacionados:
When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident
Should I Sue After a Car Accident?
Getting Pressure From the Insurance Company? Talk With Our Team