After a car accident, you will inevitably need to answer a lot of insurance adjuster questions. However, you must be careful when providing your answers. You may be entitled to pursue an injury claim, so you don’t want to say anything that the insurance company might use against you.
It’s always best to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney before answering any questions from an insurance adjuster. At Cordisco & Saile LLC, our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. We can protect your rights and preserve your claim. We have also compiled the following guide to the questions insurance companies typically ask after an accident, so you’ll know what to expect.
The Initial Information Gathering
The first questions an insurance adjuster usually asks often concern the basic logistics. The purpose is to determine what the timeline was and get the basic facts down before moving on to evaluating liability or damages. This includes learning whether you reported the accident promptly. If you didn’t, they may use that to challenge your claim.
Common questions at this point include:
- When did the accident happen?
- When did you report it?
- Where did the accident happen?
- Who was driving?
- Who owns the car?
- Was anyone else in the vehicle?
- Did you report the crash to the police?
- Which insurance companies have been told about the crash?
These questions help the insurer confirm whether coverage was in effect, identify who was involved, establish a timeline for the claim, and begin investigating the accident.
Questions About the Details of the Accident
Next, the adjuster will start to dive into details about how the accident happened. The purpose of these questions is to help determine how the collision occurred and who may be held responsible.
You’ll likely be asked:
- What happened before the crash?
- What lane were you traveling in?
- How fast were you traveling?
- Did you see the other vehicle before the crash?
- Did either driver brake or swerve?
- Were there any traffic lights or stop signs in the area?
- What was the weather like?
- Was the road wet, icy, or under construction?
- Were there any visibility issues?
Questions about environmental factors, such as weather and road conditions, help the insurer determine whether any external factors contributed to the crash. Your answers are likely to be compared with police reports, photographs, witness statements, and other evidence, and the insurer may look for inconsistencies to call your claim into question.
Questions Regarding Damages and Injuries
The adjuster will likely also ask you about damage to your car and any injuries resulting from the crash. This information helps the insurer start determining how much your claim may be worth.
Common questions include:
- Where is the damage to your car?
- Can you drive the vehicle?
- Where is the vehicle located now?
- Was the car towed?
- Did anyone get hurt?
- What parts of your body were affected?
- Did you get medical help?
- Have you missed any time at work due to your injuries?
These questions help the insurer get information on medical records, repair records, and other evidence it may need to review. The questions also help the insurer evaluate the extent of your losses, guiding the company in deciding whether to settle or investigate further.
Third-Party and Witness Questions
Finally, the insurance adjuster will ask you about people who may have information about the accident. Independent evidence from third parties is often critical in evaluating a car accident claim.
You might be asked the following:
- Were any passengers in the car?
- Did anyone witness the accident?
- Do you have the contact information for any witnesses?
- Did the police come to the scene and prepare a police report?
- Did the police issue any citations?
- Have you talked to the other driver’s insurer?
These questions aim to identify additional sources of evidence that can establish the cause of the crash. Witness statements, passenger accounts, and police reports can all help the insurer confirm how the accident happened and assess liability before the company ultimately decides whether to accept or deny the claim.
Navigating ‘Trick’ Questions and Best Practices
Insurers usually look for reasons to deny legitimate claims. To avoid putting your case at risk, keep your answers short and factual. Be aware that insurance adjusters often try to shift blame and avoid speculation or any admission of liability.
You typically do not have to provide a recorded statement—even if the insurer requests one—and should avoid providing one. It’s best not to give the insurer evidence it might use against you. You should always speak with a lawyer before talking to the insurer to protect your claim.
Do You Have to Answer All Their Questions?
If you are talking to your own insurance company after an accident, your policy most likely requires you to cooperate with their investigation. This means you’ll have to provide basic details and answer reasonable questions. Failing to cooperate could jeopardize your claim.
However, if you’re talking to the other driver’s insurance company, you’re usually not required to answer every question. The other insurer’s goal is to investigate the claim on behalf of its policyholder. Anything you say could potentially be used to dispute liability or reduce the value of your claim.
Get Help with Your Claim
Cordisco & Saile LLC is here to help with your claim. We are the Pennsylvania Injury Pros and have recovered over $100 million for our clients. Thus, our team has a proven track record for successfully dealing with insurance companies. We’ll help you answer accident insurance questions to maximize your compensation and avoid insurance company tricks.
Testimonials from our clients demonstrate that we’re not afraid to stand up to even the biggest insurance companies, and we’ll be there from day one to guide you through answering insurance claim questions.
To learn how we can help, call 215-642-2335 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
