After being in a car accident, many people want to know whether they should call the insurance company. In short, the answer is yes, but you will need to keep some very important warnings in mind. It never hurts to get in touch with a lawyer who can work with the insurance company on your behalf.

You will need to file a claim with your insurance company, regardless of what caused the accident. The insurance company must be alerted to what happened to begin processing the claim, but it’s going to be looking for reasons to deny or limit your compensation.

Give Craig Swapp & Associates a call at any time during the process of pursuing compensation for your car crash.

A Warning

Although it is necessary to call the insurance company and open a claim, it is important to be careful about what you say. Explain what happened, but be precise. There’s no need to tell the insurer any of the following at this point in the process:

  • Who was at fault
  • What you did or didn’t do to contribute to the wreck
  • What you could have done differently

Instead, be specific and avoid making long statements that attempt to explain what happened. Remember that, after an accident, an investigation needs to take place to determine what caused it and who was responsible. Trying to guess what happened is not to your advantage.

Don’t Say You’re Fine

You also need to avoid saying that you are fine or not hurt. After a car accident, many people go into a state of shock, so it may be impossible to immediately know the extent of your injuries. Instead, let the insurance company know that you need to go to the doctor for an examination.

There are some advantages to filing a claim right away. The biggest benefit is that the insurance company will provide a claim number you can use at the doctor, instead of having to pay cash or bill your health insurance. When you visit your family physician, the ER, or even the chiropractor, you can use the claim number provided to you as the only form of payment.

This is important because it makes it possible to receive the necessary treatment without worrying whether you have enough money to pay for it.

Repairing Your Vehicle

The insurance company will also start the process of getting your vehicle either repaired or replaced according to the provisions of your policy.

You do not want to pay for repairs out of pocket and then try to bill for them later. This usually doesn’t work because insurers have specific protocols that must be followed before they’ll pay out.

Again, when you’re coordinating vehicle repairs with your insurer, it’s important to keep the conversation basic and to the point. If the insurer begins asking pointed questions about your accident, tell the adjuster to call your lawyer, who can handle negotiations on your behalf.

Call a Lawyer

Although the insurance company will likely start to pay for your medical bills, that doesn’t mean it will pay for everything. Hiring a car accident lawyer can help you get compensation from the person who caused the accident.

For help with your case, call our office and schedule an appointment. We will be happy to walk you through your options, discuss filing an injury claim, and let you know what your case could be worth.

You can reach us via the form below or by calling Craig Swapp & Associates at 1-800-404-9000.