If you are involved in a
car accident, you may require assistance from your insurance provider to pay your medical
bills and repair your vehicle. However, giving away too much detail or
saying the wrong thing can prove costly to your claim, resulting in a
reduced settlement amount or a complete denial of your claim altogether.
The following are things you shouldn’t say to your insurance company
following a car accident:
-
“It was my fault.” Avoid admitting fault for the crash. Even if you are actually at fault,
the other driver may have also contributed to the accident and could also
share the blame. When you describe the incident to the adjuster, only
tell them about the basics without adding any personal opinions. Avoid
saying sorry to the other driver since this statement could be misconstrued
as an admission of fault.
-
“I’m fine.” Although symptoms of some injuries are obvious, many are not. You may
not be aware of sustaining whiplash or suffering from internal bleeding.
If you do not experience any pain from the crash, you should get it checked
out by a doctor anyway. Avoid signing any medical release form from the
insurance company until you discuss your case with an attorney.
-
“I accept.” When an insurance company offers an individual an initial settlement,
most of them are low ball offers. While you may have expensive medical
bills to pay for and are losing wages because you’re not working,
avoid accepting a settlement offer that does not fully compensate you
for injuries.
-
“This is my official statement.” Do not give an official statement that is recorded until you have discussed
your accident with an attorney. You are not required to have your statement
recorded, so what you say may be taken out of context and used against you.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Texas, request a
free consultation with our Fort Worth
personal injury lawyer at the
Law Offices of James M. Stanley today.