After you’re involved in a car accident, it typically won’t take long for the other party’s insurance adjuster to start calling you for details. How you respond to these phone calls can make or break your accident claim. So, do you have to talk to insurance investigators after car accidents in Mobile, AL?
At Jackson & Foster, your go-to car accident lawyer in Mobile, AL, we want to teach you how to develop a strong case so you’re prepared in the event of a wreck. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about communicating with insurance adjusters after a car accident.
Parties You’re Legally Obligated To Cooperate With After an Accident in Mobile, AL
Immediately after the car accident, you’ll need to cooperate with a few parties. At a minimum, Mobile, AL, requires you to communicate with the following:
- Law enforcement: You must comply with any law officers on the scene by providing your driver’s license, registration, and insurance card. The officer may ask you a few questions to fill out their report, and you should answer honestly.
- Your insurance company: You must notify your personal car insurer about any accident that could trigger coverage, such as wrecks causing property damage or injuries. Insurers typically require you to file the claim within a reasonable timeframe.
Am I Legally Obligated To Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Adjusters After Car Accidents?
So, you’re required to cooperate with the police officers and your own insurance organization, but do you have to talk to insurance investigators representing the other driver?
No, regardless of the accident you’ve been in or the details of your situation, you do not have to speak with the other party’s insurance adjusters. At a minimum, providing them with a few details, like your name, address, and phone number, can keep your case moving, but you do not have to reveal much beyond that.
Many insurance investigators may want you to admit fault, especially when they know their client is liable for the accident. They may call you in a friendly way, asking how you’re doing and other similar questions to catch you off guard. Revealing any seemingly innocent details can accidentally cause you to assume liability.
How Should I Speak to the Other Party’s Insurers?
You’re not legally obligated to answer their insurer questions, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try to pry you for details. So, when an adjuster calls you, how should you answer the questions?
You can firmly tell the representative any of the following where appropriate:
- I’m sorry, I can’t talk right now.
- I am not going to discuss the specifics of my accident without consulting my attorney.
- I am still receiving medical treatment for my injuries, so I am not ready to disclose any information.
- I do not want to sign anything or discuss any settlements without speaking to my lawyer.
- I am working with a personal injury attorney to discuss my options.
The insurer could ask something as simple as, “How are you feeling?” Answering this question by saying that you feel OK could underplay your injuries. Be careful when formulating your responses, and remember that you can always divert back to something like, “I am unsure until I’ve spoken with my doctor or attorney.”
Can Insurance Adjusters Require You To Provide Recorded Statements?
The main thing an insurance adjuster wants from you is a written statement proving you were partially or fully liable for the accident. Luckily, adjusters for an adverse driver typically cannot require you to provide written statements, so you should avoid doing so at all costs unless your attorney advises.
Adjusters know all the facts about car crashes and may use them to undermine your claim. They may make statements that they encourage you to agree with just to make you potentially assume liability. For example, they could ask you the following:
- When did you first notice the vehicle that hit you?
- Which vehicle had the last opportunity to avoid the crash?
- How long was the traffic signal yellow?
- Were you listening to music or looking at your smartphone?
- Was there anything distracting in the street?
- What was the weather like?
You want to avoid contradicting anything you said in the written police statement or your insurance claim.
Tips for Handling Insurance Adjusters
Handling calls from insurance adjusters isn’t easy. In many cases, hiring an attorney as soon as possible may be help your case, as a personal injury attorney will be able to answer calls on your behalf moving forward and represent your legal interests.
Let Your Attorney Do the Talking
So, do you have to talk to insurance investigators for adverse drivers? In many cases, the answer is no, and doing so without care can impact your ability to seek compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other losses.
If you’ve been injured in a wreck, let your attorney handle the insurance conversations for you. Call Jackson & Foster in Mobile, AL, today at (251) 433-6699 to schedule a consultation.
