It is important to understand what questions insurance companies ask after a car wreck because until and unless you enlist the help of a car accident attorney, you will need to take steps to protect your own rights. Some of the most common questions insurance companies ask following an accident involve questions to help them determine liability or who is at fault, including, but not limited to:
- Who was involved in the accident? Was anyone else in the vehicle? Who was in the other vehicle?
- Who owns the vehicle?
- If you are not the owner, did you have permission to drive the vehicle?
- Did you have any intoxicating or impairing substances, including but not limited to prescriptions, prior to the accident or day of the accident?
- What led to the accident?
- What happened, and why?
- How was the other driver positioned when you first saw him?
- What was your speed at the moment before the crash?
- What was the other driver’s speed right before the wreck?
- When did the accident occur?
- Where were you going when the accident occurred?
- Where were you coming from when the accident occurred?
- What were you doing when the accident occurred?
- Were you using your cell phone for any purpose at the time of the collision?
- Did you do anything to try to avoid the collision?
- If you took any efforts to avoid the collision, what maneuvers did you take and if not, why did you not take any efforts to attempt to avoid the collision?
You may get these questions from your own insurance company or the insurance company representing the at-fault motorist who hit you. You may even wonder if you were at-fault in the accident after the insurance company has asked you their list of tricky liability questions.
It is imperative that you be mindful of what you say regarding the accident, even with your own insurance company. Otherwise, you could jeopardize your right to recover compensation for the damages you suffered in the accident.
Give the Insurance Company Basic Information
While you may need to speak with your own insurance company to notify them of the accident, we caution you to be careful what you say. Beware of questions that ask about fault, speed, distance, visibility, and evasive maneuvers. Do not give details beyond the basics of time and place, and names involved. They will obtain more information from the police report and other sources.
If the insurance adjuster in your case has reason to believe you were to blame for the collision, in North Carolina using the state’s contributory negligence defense, they can attempt to pay you nothing, and in New York, a comparative negligence state, the insurance company may offer you a lower amount that you may be entitled to.
Of course, the insurance company representing the at-fault driver has great reason to try to gather any information to reduce the potential value of your claim and their payout. A skilled personal injury attorney knows what the most effective techniques are with presenting injury claims to the insurance company and demanding maximum compensation. For a free legal consultation, call (919) 800-2000
The Insurance Company May Offer Less than What You May Obtain with the Help of a Skilled Attorney
Determining what questions insurance companies ask after a car wreck may not be the end of your worries when it comes to protecting your rights after a car accident. They may either delay your claim or look for ways to settle your claim as cheaply and soon as possible, which may result in a lower offer than a claimant be entitled to.
In some cases, a liability car insurance carrier will immediately offer an accident victim thousands of dollars in a cash settlement. Unless you have a good understanding of your current and future medical bills, time away from work, and the value of your case, accepting this offer may not be your best option. We recommend not signing anything until you have an attorney look over the settlement.
Before you can understand what a fair settlement range might look like, you will need to have a better idea of the value of your case. Your attorney can help you gather the evidence necessary to document your losses and uncover your recoverable damages. This could include:
- Current and future medical care costs;
- Current and future lost income;
- Lost earning capacity if you do not return to your previous work;
- Property damages;
- Out-of-pocket expenses; and
- Pain and suffering.
Only once you know what a fair settlement will look like in your case should you begin negotiating with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company.
Working with a Car Accident Attorney on Your Car Accident Case
If you suffered injuries in a car accident case in North Carolina or New York, you can get a free case evaluation from one of our car accident attorneys at Tien Law Firm. We will review your case at no cost to you and may be able to go to work on your case today. If we accept your case, you can count on one of our car accident attorneys to:
- Handle the insurance companies for you.
- Build a case with evidence of negligence and liability.
- Calculate the value of your damages.
- Negotiate to reach a fair settlement.
- Represent you at trial if necessary.
Our team works based on a contingency fee, so we receive no attorney fees unless we recover a settlement or court-awarded compensation for you. Our fees come from your car accident settlement.
Discuss Your Case with Our Car Accident Lawyer
You can reach a Tien Law Firm attorney by calling (919) 800-2000. We can review your case, explain your legal options, and determine the steps we may be able to take to help you protect your rights and manage your case.