Dealing with an insurance company after being injured in a car accident can be stressful and overwhelming. Fortunately, many insurers treat accident victims fairly. Even so, some companies try to underpay or deny legitimate claims.
You must be mindful of the information you give an insurance company representative to protect the value of your claim. Since you must report your accident to the insurer, here are some tips on answering potentially problematic questions they may ask.
What were you doing before the accident?
An insurer may try to spread the blame by asking what you were doing just before the accident. Typically, adjusters are looking for a phrase indicating that you broke the law or were at a bar and intoxicated.
Tell them you were merely driving or refuse to answer.
What happened during the accident?
Insurers need to know what happened to determine fault and provide appropriate compensation. However, questions about the crash could be veiled attempts to find inconsistencies in your account of the events.
Plan your response in advance, keep it short and practice what you will say.
What is the nature of your injuries?
Some insurance companies have no qualms about twisting your words to make it appear that your injuries do not warrant compensation. Decline to talk specifically about the physical harm you suffered in the crash.
Just say you are under medical care for your injuries.
As a rule, it is always wise to be cautious when communicating with the insurance companies involved in an accident claim. Legal representation and knowledge of your rights under California injury compensation laws can further shield your accident claim.