You got into an auto accident in Texas, and now you’re going to have to speak to your insurance as well as the other party’s insurance provider. But you’ll have to be careful about what you say. Otherwise, what you say could end up hurting your chances of getting a good settlement.
Here are some tips on how to speak with insurance company representatives after an auto accident in Texas.
Reporting the Accident to Your Insurance Company
After an accident occurs, it’s your obligation to tell your insurance provider. However, you don’t have to provide every single detail or answer all of their questions. It’s best to tell them what happened, but do not apologize or admit that you were at fault.
If you feel sore at all or got injured, tell them you were injured, but do not go into details. Don’t say you weren’t injured either; you never know how injuries are going to manifest over time. You may not feel it today, but you could tomorrow. And if you tell them you weren’t injured, and you do end up with an injury, you might not be able to get the settlement you deserve.
Overall, you shouldn’t ever lie because that’s illegal. But at the same time, don’t provide them with additional information that they don’t need. State that the accident happened, do not admit fault, and say you were injured, but don’t go into more details than that. And, of course, do not allow them to record an official statement, and definitely don’t accept a settlement. You are in a vulnerable place after an accident, and you may say or do something you regret later on.
Speaking to the Other Party’s Insurance Representative
When the other party’s insurance agent calls you, they may try to get you to accept a low settlement or say that you were at fault for the accident. Even if you were partly at fault, do not admit anything. Tell them that the accident happened and provide only the necessary details. Then, tell them that you’ll have your lawyer contact them to continue the conversation.
Why Work With a Lawyer?
A lawyer is going to negotiate with the insurance company to get you a settlement to cover your damages. This could include your medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, damage to your personal belongings, and more. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding your accident.
A lawyer will give you a free consultation and let you know if they think you have a strong case. Then, they can help you gather evidence like your medical records, witness statements, your police report, and more to prove your case. If they can get you a settlement, they’ll take their fee from it, and you’ll get the rest. Note that a lawyer should always tell you what that fee is going to be upfront. Since you don’t have to pay a retainer, hiring a lawyer after an auto accident is a win-win.
Contact Berenson Injury Law
If you were injured in a car, truck, 18-wheeler, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident and need legal help, we are here to help you. When we are hired, we start working immediately. We get critical evidence and guide you through a complicated process.
Berenson Injury Law has been representing thousands of injured Texans for over 40 years. Call us at 817-885-8000 or get in touch on our website.