Dealing with an insurance company after an accident in Virginia can be a daunting experience, especially when you’re unsure of your rights and the best ways to protect your interests. Insurance adjusters are skilled at securing information that could potentially limit your compensation. It’s crucial to understand that while they may appear helpful, their primary goal is to minimize the payout for the insurance company. Before engaging in any conversation or providing statements about the incident, it’s essential to understand your rights and the potential implications of the information you share.
If you’ve been contacted by an insurance company after an accident in Virginia, consulting with an experienced Northern Virginia personal injury lawyer can provide the strategic advantage you need. At Jennifer Porter Law, PLLC, we provide the skill and advocacy necessary to effectively handle insurance adjusters. Our team is well-versed in insurance company tactics and works tirelessly to protect your rights and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (571) 532-9070 to schedule a consultation.
Refer All Questions to Your Attorney
The safest course of action when communicating with an insurance company about a claim is to allow a legal professional to advocate on your behalf. Experienced personal injury lawyers know the tactics insurance companies use to catch people off guard. They know that statements can be taken out of context and used to deny liability or undermine the severity of an injury.
Your attorney can provide the information the insurance company needs to know without providing nonessential information or speculation that could be used against you.
Northern Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Jennifer Porter
Jennifer Porter
Jennifer Porter is a seasoned Northern Virginia personal injury attorney with more than 25 years of experience representing clients who have suffered serious injuries through no fault of their own. Known for her skill both in and out of the courtroom, Jennifer draws on her unique background as former house counsel for Progressive Insurance and defense counsel for major insurance carriers. This insider perspective gives her clients a strategic advantage, allowing her to anticipate defense tactics and build strong, effective cases that maximize recovery.
Dedicated to both her clients and her community, Jennifer has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, along with a 10/10 Avvo rating. A long-time Virginia resident, she is active in the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the Fairfax Bar Association, while also balancing her roles as a Navy spouse, community leader, and mother of three. Jennifer’s commitment is simple but powerful: guiding people through some of the hardest times of their lives with compassion, skill, and unwavering advocacy.
Collect Basic Information
If you do not yet have an attorney to refer the insurance company to, or you feel the need to be polite, you can pleasantly ask for information from the insurer before providing any information to them. Ask for the name of the company and the representative’s name, title, and contact information. Write down the information to share with your lawyer later.
In return, give as little information as possible. You can provide your name, address, and phone number, which they probably already have anyway. Write notes of anything you talk about, but do not volunteer any other information, including information about your insurance company or the accident and injuries.
Tell the other company that they should not contact you again but that you will call them.
You are Not Legally Obligated to Speak to Any Insurance Company But Your Own
Insurance representatives generally try to come across as helpful and friendly, and you may feel rude if you decline to talk to them. However, it is important to realize that you are not required to answer questions from anyone else’s insurance company. They know this, but they are hoping you will say something to reduce the value of the claim.
The insurance companies will talk to each other. And if you hire an experienced attorney, your legal advisor will know when it is in your best interests to communicate information and what should be shared.
If your injuries came from a car accident involving your vehicle, you will need to talk to your own insurance company. You should be prepared to give them basic factual information such as the date, time, and location of the accident, and the type of cars involved. You can also provide the names of others involved and the other driver’s insurance company. Avoid speculating about what caused the accident or the extent of anyone’s injuries. If they ask you what happened, it is best if you can say that you would rather provide a written statement. Then your attorney can help you prepare a statement that avoids any issues that could impact your ability to recover damages.
Tell the other company that they should not contact you again but that you will call them.
Why Is the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Calling Me?
After an accident, it’s common to receive a call from the other driver’s insurance company. While this might seem routine or helpful, it’s important to understand the purpose behind the call. The insurance adjuster on the other side is responsible for gathering information to limit the amount their company has to pay. Their goal is to protect their financial interests, not to ensure that you receive a fair settlement for your injuries and losses.
During such calls, adjusters often request a recorded statement. They aim to get you to say something that could be used to challenge your account of the accident or minimize your injuries. This is why they compare your statements with any other reports made to law enforcement or medical personnel. Remember, anything you say can be used to reduce the compensation you might be entitled to.
It’s crucial to be cautious and limit your communication with the other driver’s insurance company. Instead, consider having experienced legal representation handle these interactions. A Northern Virginia personal injury lawyer can communicate on your behalf, ensuring that you don’t provide information that could undermine your claim. They can also provide guidance on how to handle inquiries and protect your interests, helping you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Know What to Avoid
If you are being pressured or overwhelmed with friendliness by the other insurance company, it can be hard to just hang up. When you talk to representatives from an insurance company try to avoid giving in to certain tactics:
- Do not let them record you. They may promise that the process will go faster if you can provide a recorded statement. But anything you say can potentially be twisted and used against you.
- Do not say you’re fine or you’re sorry. If someone asks how you are doing or mentions a problem and you give the standard polite responses, those can be taken as evidence that you are not hurt or that you are at fault for causing the accident.
- Do not get engaged in conversation. The insurance representative may be friendly and it can seem rude to avoid sharing information, but remember that they are looking for anything they can use to deny or reduce your claim.
Stick to the most basic facts and get legal advice as soon as possible.
| What to Avoid | Why This Matters | Safer Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Do not let them record you. | Recorded statements can be taken out of context and used to weaken or deny your claim. | Politely decline and say you will provide information through your attorney. |
| Do not say you’re fine or you’re sorry. | Saying “I’m fine” may imply you are not injured, while “I’m sorry” could be taken as admitting fault. | Stick to the facts: “I am seeking medical treatment” or “The details are being handled by my lawyer.” |
| Do not get engaged in conversation. | Casual talk may reveal details that insurers can twist against you. | Keep communication short and limited to exchanging contact or claim reference information. |
Research on Early Settlement Offers
An insurance adjuster’s goal is to settle a claim for the lowest amount possible. One common strategy is to make a settlement offer very early in the process, sometimes within days or weeks of the accident. This is often called a “quick” or “early” settlement offer.
These initial offers can be tempting, especially if you have mounting medical bills and are out of work. However, they are frequently lowball offers that do not account for the full extent of your damages. The insurer is banking on the possibility that you don’t yet know the full cost of your injuries, including the need for future medical treatments, physical therapy, or the total amount of your lost wages.
Accepting a settlement offer is final. You will be required to sign a release form that forever gives up your right to seek any further compensation for that accident. If your injuries turn out to be more severe than you initially thought, you cannot go back and ask for more money. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the long-term implications of your injuries and consult with a personal injury attorney before even considering an offer. An attorney can help you calculate the true value of your claim, which includes not just current bills but also future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Let Jennifer Porter Talk to the Insurance Company Instead
If an insurance company contacts you in Virginia after an injury, it’s important to stay calm and avoid giving them any information without consulting a lawyer. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that may minimize the payout you receive. They may ask questions that seem harmless but are designed to reduce their liability or shift blame. It’s crucial to remember that anything you say can be used against you in your case.
A Northern Virginia personal injury lawyer from Jennifer Porter Law, PLLC can provide essential support in this situation. Attorney Jennifer Porter, who previously worked as house counsel for insurance companies, understands the tactics insurers use to undercut claims. With her extensive experience, she can handle communications with the insurance company and protect your rights. Contact us today at (571) 532-9070 to secure the compensation you deserve.
