What To Do if the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company Calls Me?

If the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company calls you, you must be very careful about what you say. We recommend politely declining any conversation with them beyond basic facts of the accident, such as your name, insurance carrier, and tag number. 

When possible, you should avoid talking to them at all and notify your attorney about the contact. You can work with a Tacoma car accident lawyer to protect your rights and manage all communication with the insurance carrier for you.  

What Should I Know About What to Do If the Insurance Company Calls Me?

Often, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will want to settle a case quickly after a crash. While this seems like a good thing for everyone involved, it is not. In the first days and weeks after a crash, an injured victim is unlikely to know the full extent of their injuries, expenses, and losses. 

Talking to the insurance company at this point in your case cannot help your financial recovery. They are likely hoping to convince you to accept a lowball payout or get a recorded statement they can possibly use against you later. Neither of these are good for the outcome of your case. 

Your best option is to politely tell the insurance adjuster that you will have your attorney contact them. Then, it is time to hire a lawyer to manage your communication with the insurance company and navigate a fair settlement based on your accident case. 

Why Would the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company Call Me? 

The goal of the insurance company is to settle the case for as little as possible. There are several approaches they may take to get this result, which could lead them to contact you quickly after the crash. They could: 

• Make an offer
• Ask you for a recorded statement
• Ask you questions about the accident or your injuries

In any of these cases, you do not want to engage with the insurance adjuster. The shorter the conversation, the better. Nothing you can say will increase your possible payout, and you are not yet ready to settle. Even if the offer seems like a lot of money, you should not agree to anything. Before settlement discussions, you will need to know: 

• The severity of your injuries
• How much your care costs
• If you have future care needs
• How much your continued care will cost
• When you can return to work
• If you might miss more work
• Your out-of-pocket costs
• The cost to repair or replace your car
• The value of your non-economic damages

These all play an essential role in valuing your case and knowing what a fair settlement range might look like. Without knowing all of these things, you cannot accurately demand compensation from the insurance carrier and fight for a fair payout. 

For this reason, you should never consider an early offer from the insurance company. It is always a good idea to have a car accident attorney review any offer you receive. 

What Damages Will a Car Crash Lawyer Seek in My Case?

When a personal injury lawyer represents the victim in a collision case, they manage all communication with the insurance company and other parties involved. If you have a law firm representing you, there is no need to worry about what to do when the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier calls. Your attorney will ensure they contact them instead. 

Your lawyer will protect your rights by ensuring the insurance company gets the information they need to accurately assess your case and negotiate for a fair settlement. However, they will not put you in a position where you might say the wrong thing to hurt your case. 

The damages recoverable in these cases could include: 

• Current and future medical care costs
• Current and future income losses
• Diminished earning ability for lasting injuries
• Property damages
• Related expenses with receipts
• Pain and suffering damages

One reason you want a lawyer on your side handling this process is because they will identify, document, and value all your expenses and losses incurred. This includes damages that might be difficult for you to calculate on your own, such as future expenses and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. 

If your loved one died in a car accident, you may file a wrongful death action if you meet the state’s criteria. An auto accident lawyer can handle this process for you and your family and help you seek compensation that could include: 

• Any medical bills 
• Funeral costs
• Burial or cremation costs
• Loss of income
• Loss of services
• Loss of consortium for the surviving spouse
• Other damages

How Will a Car Accident Lawyer Recover Compensation for Me?

Under RCW 4.16.080, crash victims generally have up to three years following the accident date to sue. However, this is often unnecessary. Many cases end with a negotiated settlement without needing to file a lawsuit. Even if our attorneys sue on behalf of a client, these cases often settle. 

Auto insurance companies are often more willing to negotiate with attorneys and offer higher settlement agreements than they are with the victim. This is because they recognize that our lawyers know how to proceed with a lawsuit and will not hesitate to do so.  

Most car accident attorneys, ours included, work based on contingency. Our clients do not pay anything up front to have us investigate their cases and pursue compensation. We have a no-fee unless we win policy. Our clients never pay anything unless we recover money in their case.

Discuss Your Auto Accident With Our Legal Team for Free

Jackman Law Firm offers free consultations for car accident victims in Washington State. We are here to help you deal with the insurance carrier and recover the compensation you need and deserve. Let us assess the facts of your case and explain your rights. 

Contact us now to get started.