Should I Speak With the Other Driver’s Insurance Company After an Accident?
No, you generally should not speak with the other driver’s insurance company after getting into a car accident. It is not legally required, and it could hurt your insurance claim. The insurance company’s goal is to pay you as little as possible to protect its own profits. Everything you say to an insurance adjuster in the aftermath of a crash could be used against you to serve this purpose. Make sure to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Bergen County for legal guidance.
When Might the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Contact You?
If you get involved in an automobile accident in New Jersey, you may be contacted by the other driver’s car insurance company as soon as the same day. Although New Jersey is a no-fault state, meaning the first source of coverage is a driver’s own car insurance, the other driver’s insurer may get involved if the collision is serious or you have Unlimited Right to Sue insurance.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that are always looking out for their own bottom lines. They can try to take advantage of claimants in numerous ways to diminish their liability for injuries. This is why it is important to be cautious during conversations with another driver’s insurance company.
How to Respond to Insurance Company Communication
During conversations with the insurance claims adjuster assigned to your claim, don’t admit fault or apologize. Do not agree to give the adjuster a recorded statement, as this can be used to twist your own words around and use them against you later. Instead of giving your permission for a recording, explain that you will submit a written statement later after speaking to your attorney.
Keep your answers to questions asked about the accident and your injuries short and concise. Don’t speculate about fault or offer any information that is not specifically requested. Keep in mind that no matter how friendly the insurance adjuster sounds on the phone, he or she works for the insurance company and ultimately wants to save the insurer money. Remain polite, but don’t trust the adjuster.
What to Do if You Are Offered a Settlement
If you are offered a settlement from the other driver’s insurance provider, resist the urge to immediately accept. While you may be eager to resolve your claim and receive a settlement check, accepting the first offer could trap you into an amount that underpays for your current and future losses. This is especially likely if you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury.
Initial settlement offers are often undervalued, and the insurance company will try to convince you to accept without negotiating. However, you have the right to submit counteroffers and negotiate for a higher amount that is fair and reasonable based on your losses. Do not rush into a fast settlement or sign a release of liability waiver without bringing it to an experienced Bergen County personal injury lawyer for review.
Should I Speak to My Own Insurance Company?
The rules for speaking with your own car insurance company after a car accident are slightly different. While you should still not admit fault or jump at the first settlement offer without consulting with a lawyer, you are legally required to give a recorded statement before the claim can proceed.
Contact your own insurance company to report the car accident and initiate a first-party claim. Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance should offer coverage for your medical bills. If you wish to pursue further compensation from the other driver, consult with a personal injury attorney first. An attorney can handle all communications and settlement negotiations with an insurance provider on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected. Contact us today.