What Questions Do Insurance Companies Ask After a Car Wreck?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, there’s a good chance that the other driver’s insurance provider will get in touch with you in the days following the crash. The insurer will likely want to ask you questions about the collision in hopes that you’ll say something that hurts your claim, allowing the provider to reduce the amount of compensation you receive.

An attorney from The Thumbs Up Guys from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys will be able to help you answer any questions the insurer asks so you can protect your right to damages. However, knowing what questions insurance companies ask after a car wreck can be helpful.

Questions To Expect From a Car Insurance Company After a Wreck

Any experienced Charleston car accident lawyer will tell you that there are several specific questions that the insurance company will ask you after an accident. Remember, you’re not legally obliged to speak to the insurer right away. In fact, you can wait to consult with an attorney and have them act as a representative for you.

That said, familiarizing yourself with the following common insurance questions can help you prepare yourself for the claims process:

Can You Describe the Accident From Your Point of View?

Asking for a detailed description of the collision is one of the most common questions that car wreck victims get from the insurance company. It’s also common for the insurer to ask this question several times throughout a meeting to see if there are any holes or inconsistencies in your story.

That’s why speaking with an attorney before you talk to the insurance provider is important. A lawyer can help you construct a well-defined statement that honestly describes the collision and won’t change, no matter how many times you have to repeat it.

Did You Have Any Passengers in Your Car When the Accident Occurred?

When questioning car wreck victims, insurance companies also ask if anyone else was in the car when the incident occurred. If there was, the insurer will likely ask for the passenger’s contact information so they can interview them about the collision.

When the insurance provider speaks to the passenger(s), they’ll try to see if the passenger’s account of the collision differs from yours. If they find that the two accounts conflict with each other, they may reduce your settlement or try to reject your claim.

To prevent this from happening, you’ll want to hire a car wreck attorney who can work with the passenger to prepare a statement that won’t raise any red flags with the insurance company.

What Were You Doing Right Before the Crash Occurred?

Insurers may also ask you what you were doing right before the car wreck happened. They ask this question to find out if you were doing something that was taking your attention off the road, like texting, changing the radio station, eating, or talking to passengers.

If the insurer suspects that you were texting while driving, they may present you with a form to sign that allows them to access your cell phone records. You’ll want to consult with an attorney before you sign anything. Doing so will help you make the best legal decisions possible and allow you to protect your rights.

Where Were You Driving From When the Collision Happened?

This is another common question that insurance adjusters ask car accident victims after a wreck. Insurers may ask you this question to determine if you were coming from a bar or another location where you may have been consuming alcohol.

If they find any evidence that you were driving while impaired when the incident happened, they’ll try to push some of the blame on you to justify paying you less than the full value of your injury claim.

Do You Have Pre-Existing Injuries?

If you’ve been in a car wreck, the other driver’s insurance company will probably ask you if you have any pre-existing injuries. If they find that you were injured in a previous incident, they’ll try to use that information to claim that the accident their policyholder caused didn’t result in your injuries and that they were, in fact, caused by the other incident.

This is a common tactic used to avoid covering the claimant’s medical treatment expenses. Consulting with a skilled lawyer before taking questions from the insurer will ensure that you answer this question and all the above-mentioned questions in a way that doesn’t hurt your case.

Meet With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer for Free

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the questions insurance companies ask after a car wreck, you’ll want to get in touch with a skilled personal injury attorney. A lawyer from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward Injury Attorneys can help you communicate with the insurance provider, negotiate a settlement, and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.