Should I Call My Insurance Company After an Accident?

Most people will experience a vehicle collision of some kind at least once. That’s not to say it’s impossible for you to go without ever being in a wreck. Many people who have been involved in collisions may not have been the driver, and they don’t know how the insurance claim process works after a crash.

If that’s you, you’re probably asking yourself whether you should call your insurance company after an accident. In most cases, you will need to, but there’s some important information you need to know.

When to Call Your Insurance Company After a Collision

In the following situations, you might want to call your insurance company:

• When you’ve been in a minor fender-bender that involved some vehicle damage, you should contact your insurance company, regardless of who was at fault. Although California is an at-fault state, you should still report the accident. Fault can be determined later.
• You should call your insurance company when you’ve been involved in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
• You also should call your insurance company to report a serious collision, but in a case where you’ll be naming the other driver in a personal injury lawsuit, you will want to simply report the crash. Give key information like names, addresses, and license plates. Don’t submit any statements or admit fault.

When Not to Call Your Insurance Company After a Car Wreck

You may not need to call your insurance company if you’re involved in a minor, single-car fender-bender. If the damages are less than your deductible, you may want to pay for the repairs out of pocket and skip the claim.

When to Have an Attorney Speak to Your Insurer on Your Behalf

When you’re involved in a serious collision, it suddenly becomes very important to handle the involved insurance companies with care—including your own. You don’t want your statements to be misconstrued or used against you, especially when you are trying to pursue damages from the other driver.

Your attorney can speak with the insurers so you can focus on your injuries. In a case like this, reporting the accident is usually enough, and then your attorney can take over communications from there.

Get in Touch with a Car Wreck Attorney

Still wondering whether you should call your insurance company after an accident? Remember this: When you’ve been injured in a car accident, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone.

Your attorney can speak with your insurer on your behalf, especially in the event of a serious collision. This will help ensure that the insurer can’t use your statements against you. Call The Kindley Firm, APC, to get your free case evaluation.

For personal injury cases, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying us until you get compensation for your wreck. Complete the web contact form below or call 619-550-1313.