In Macon and beyond, we represent people who have been injured in all types of accidents
Should you call your insurance agent after a car accident?
There’s no way of knowing what you’ll face in the aftermath of a car accident. Even if you were lucky enough to avoid serious injury, there are still a variety of steps you must take to get back on track.
You’re likely to have some concern about when to file an insurance claim and how to protect your legal rights when doing so.
As a general rule of thumb, contact your car insurance agent as soon as possible. Your first priority is your health and well-being, but once you’re stable you can take this step.
When doing so, remember this: There’s a big difference between contacting your agent to file a claim and saying entirely too much.
Here are some tips for talking to your agent when filing a claim:
- Stick to the basics: This is job number one. Don’t go into the finer details of the accident at this time. Your only goal is to inform your agent of the accident and determine what comes next.
- Don’t agree to make a written or recorded statement: Your agent is required to tell you if they’re recording your conversation. Should they ask, a simple “no” is the correct answer. You don’t understand what’s going on just yet, so making a statement could result in your saying the wrong thing.
- Don’t exaggerate your injuries: It’s okay to state your injuries, but don’t exaggerate them. This is even more so the case if you have no medical opinion to back you up. For instance, telling your agent that you have whiplash, when you haven’t yet received a diagnosis, is a bad idea. It gives the wrong impression about your intentions.
Don’t let your insurance agent sweet talk you. You should expect them to be nice and courteous during this difficult time, but don’t assume that they’re on your side. They’ll always do what’s best for them.
If you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact your insurance agent to start the claims process. From there, you can decide what to do next to ensure that you protect your legal rights. It’s important that you don’t misstep along the way.