You can, but you don't have to. If you've been seriously injured it's likely in your best interest to speak with a personal injury lawyer before you begin communicating with the at-fault driver's insurance company.
You’re not required to discuss details of your potential claim with the other insurance company prior to speaking with a lawyer. Always be cautious when discussing an accident with the other driver’s claim investigator. The insurance company may use the information shared to devalue your claim.
If you do end up working with a personal injury lawyer, you should let them handle most, if not all, of the communication with the insurance company. A quick call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company may seem insignificant, but if too much information is shared, it may drastically affect the outcome of your case.
Your personal injury lawyer may encourage discretion until fault is officially determined and acknowledged by the insurance company. Information shared on a call with the insurance company is never off the books. Things you say could also be taken out of context or misconstrued to the other driver’s benefit.
If you’re approached by an insurance company, it may be an adjuster looking to gather information to devalue your claim. If they request to record the conversation, it is even more likely that what is said will be documented and could potentially be used against you.
To avoid this risk, it’s often ideal to leave communication to a lawyer. They can speak on your behalf and verify that any information provided is only what's necessary and will not damage your claim.
If you file a “third-party claim,” which is what’s necessary after you’ve been involved in a crash caused by another driver, you (or your lawyer) will eventually need to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. They will want to know what happened before they agree to pay for your injuries and property damage.
Avoid providing superfluous information that isn’t directly related to establishing fault or accurately valuing your claim. Muddying the details or oversharing can potentially result in additional questions that may call into question fault or the value of your claim.
Receiving a call out of the blue from an insurance claims adjuster who wants to interrogate you can be unnerving. The call may have taken you by surprise and brought with it a slew of complex emotions. It’s best to remain level in this situation. If you allow anger or frustration to overwhelm you during the conversation, you could risk sharing information that could give an advantage to the at-fault party, even unknowingly.
Insurance investigators may even try to get this exact reaction to gain what they need to devalue your claim. Insurance adjusters are paid to settle claims and potentially invalidate them to improve their company's bottom line. You cannot count on them to exercise empathy or be charitable.
If communication with the at-fault driver’s insurer is truly unavoidable, or the call took you by surprise, limit conversation as much as possible. You can always tell them you can’t speak right now or refer them to your personal injury lawyer.
Speaking with the at-fault insurance company before hiring a lawyer can have unintended consequences. Getting a free case evaluation can help you avoid mistakes or misstatements that may jeopardize your claim. At Zdrilich Injury Law, we'll evaluate the details of your case and gather information on your behalf. We'll handle the communication so that you can focus on recovery.
Zdrilich Injury Law is committed to helping you recover from injuries suffered in car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall cases and dog bites. Our personal injury team provides one-on-one attention to ensure you receive the highest quality care in your case. For a free case evaluation, contact us online or call (770) 931-9604.
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Zdrilich Injury Law is committed to helping injured Georgians receive the money they need to recover physically and financially after an accident.
Zdrilich Injury Law, LLC providers one-on-one representation to car accident, truck accident and workers’ compensation clients in Georgia.
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3575 Koger Blvd. Ste 125
Duluth, GA 30096
Phone:
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123 Canal St. Ste 201
Pooler, GA 31322
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11545 Parkwoods Cir. Ste B
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Phone:
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