How Do I Describe a Car Accident to Police or My Insurance Company?
When you describe a car accident, remember to explain only the key facts about the wreck. Anything beyond that may prevent you from recovering compensation for your injuries and property damage. What you say can—and often will—be used against you if you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Emotions run high after a car accident, especially when someone suffers injuries. This is all the more reason to stick to basic details when describing the crash to police, insurance adjusters, and lawyers. Auto insurers—including your own—commonly look for ways to deny claims or defend policyholders. An insurer may do this by searching for inconsistencies or any admission of fault in statements you provide to police and other parties in the accident.
If you were in a recent car accident and need assistance recovering damages, OEB Law, PLLC, can help you. We will speak on your behalf so you do not risk losing the compensation you may be eligible for because of the accident.
We have extensive experience in handling communication for our clients. We can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Call us today at 865-546-1111 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our car accident lawyers.
How Should I Describe My Car Accident to Police?
Any information you give police will likely end up in the official police report of your wreck. That is why it is essential you only provide the basic facts of your crash as you recall them. Key details of a car accident typically include the following:
- How many people were in the crash?
- How many vehicles were in the accident?
- Approximately what time did the crash happen?
- Where did the wreck occur?
- How did the crash happen?
Only provide basic information when explaining your accident. For example, only tell the police you were proceeding through an intersection after stopping at a stop sign before a car hit your vehicle on the right side. Do not go beyond the basics or offer opinions, even if you feel pressure from the police or the other party.
In addition, let the police know if you had to safely pull your car off the road a distance away from the exact location of the accident scene. You should also write down as many details as you can while waiting for the police. You may also want to sketch the accident scene or use an accident reconstruction template to record what happened. This can help you remember crucial details later.
What If I Believe the Accident Is My Fault?
Do not admit fault even if you believe you caused the accident. If you do so, you open yourself up to legal liability even if you were not the sole cause of the crash. For example, if you were in a three-car accident [In Progress: link to https://www.wreckintoacheck.com/faqs/whos-at-fault-in-a-3-car-accident/], you may have slammed into the car in front of you after you being rear-ended by the vehicle behind you.
At the same time, do not blame the other driver for causing the crash. Let the police investigator draw conclusions about the accident.
What If the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Wants to Speak With Me About the Crash?
This is where you benefit from having our law firm represent you. We recommend you first contact us before speaking to the other driver’s insurance company. An insurer will pick apart any statement [In Progress: link to https://www.wreckintoacheck.com/faqs/should-i-give-a-statement-to-the-at-fault-drivers-insurance-company-after-a-car-wreck/] you provide in an attempt to lower the value of your insurance claim.
If the insurer or the company’s lawyer insists on speaking with you, we can help you prepare a written statement to recall the basic details of your crash.
How Do I File an Insurance Claim?
OEB Law, PLLC, handles all aspects of insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. If someone else’s negligence caused an accident and you suffered injuries, we will help you build a solid case by thoroughly investigating your wreck.
We would also negotiate the claim on your behalf to ensure that you receive full and fair compensation. We know the tactics insurance companies use to reduce or deny insurance claims. We can protect you against them and fight for a just settlement for your losses.
To recover compensation, our case must prove negligence and causation. To do this, we may secure the police report, photographs of the accident scene, video surveillance footage, and other relevant evidence.
How Can I Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney?
Call OEB Law, PLLC, today at 865-546-1111 to schedule a free case review with a member of our car accident legal team. We work on contingency, which means you do not pay us unless we recover compensation for you.