What Not to Say to the Insurance Company After an Accident

The weeks after an accident can be stressful and confusing. You might have painful injuries, and you could be unsure of what happened. Insurance companies know this, which is why they want you to talk as much as possible.

Unfortunately, they often try to use these statements against you. They might use them to make your settlement lower than what you deserve or even try to deny your claim. That’s why it’s so important to know what not to say to an insurance company after an accident. A strategic approach to any discussions with the insurance company could make all the difference in your case.

At Breit Law, P.C., we can stand up for you and your rights after an accident. For years, we’ve worked with accident victims throughout the Virginia Beach area, so we know how to handle conversations with the insurance company. We understand their tactics, and we’re ready to use that knowledge to help protect you.

To learn more about how we can help, contact us for a free consultation today.

What Not to Say

If you’re recovering from an accident, you might think you should speak with the insurance companies as soon as possible. But remember that you have rights and saying the wrong thing to an insurer could cause trouble. That’s why following an accident:

• Don’t contact insurance companies immediately. Protect yourself, your health, and your passengers first. After that, it’s best to speak with an attorney about your options before the insurer.
• Don’t admit any fault for the accident. Accidents can be traumatic, and you might not understand the circumstances of the crash. You could believe you caused the accident, but the facts may support a different conclusion. If you admit fault for an accident, you could take the blame (and legal responsibility) for an accident that you didn’t cause.
• Don’t disclose the names of your family members or medical providers. Insurance companies want to minimize their losses, not maximize your compensation. They may contact the people around you to ask questions about the accident and undermine your claim.
• Don’t give your opinions. When you’re talking with an insurance company, opinions can cause far more harm than good. After an accident, you might have strong opinions about what caused it and who could be at fault. If you make a claim that’s not supported by the facts, the insurer could use it against you.
• Don’t make an official or recorded statement. It’s difficult to undo the damage of statements that turn out to be untrue. Protect your interests and speak with an attorney before making any official statements to insurers.
• Don’t accept an initial offer from the insurance companies. If they know they’ll have to pay you, the company might offer you a settlement that seems generous. But remember, they’re looking out for their bottom line and not for you.

How Breit Law, P.C. Could Help

At Breit Law, P.C., we can deal with the insurance companies so that you don’t have to. Following an accident, we could help you by:

• Answering your questions about next steps and Virginia insurance law
• Serving as your advocate in all discussions with insurance companies
• Protecting your rights to fair compensation
• Demanding the full compensation you deserve
• Working with experts to understand the facts of the crash
• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies for the outcome you want
• Filing a lawsuit in court and representing you with integrity

If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact our experienced car accident lawyers in Virginia Beach as soon as possible. We know how insurance companies operate, and we can guide you through the insurance claim process. And unlike insurance companies, we put you and your needs first.

With a decade of experience helping injury victims in the Virginia Beach area, a dedicated Virginia car accident lawyer at Breit Law, P.C. is ready to help you. For a free consultation about your case, call us at (757) 456-0333 or reach out to us online today.