What Happens If the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Calls You?
After a car accident, you may expect to hear from your own insurance company. What can catch people off guard is a call from the other driver’s insurer.
The adjuster may be friendly and explain that they simply want to get your version of what happened.
That doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong. Insurance companies need information to investigate claims. But if you were injured, it’s important to understand that the adjuster is working for the insurance company—not as your personal advisor.
I’m Andrew Calandro, founder of Calandro Law. I represent injured people throughout Florida, and one of the things I want clients to understand is that they don’t need to feel pressured into making important decisions during their first conversation with an insurance adjuster.
Key Takeaways
- An insurance adjuster may contact you to investigate the accident and evaluate a potential claim.
- Be truthful, but don’t guess or speculate about facts you don’t know.
- Be cautious about providing a recorded statement about an injury claim.
- Don’t assume an early settlement offer reflects the full value of your claim.
- If you were injured, consider getting legal advice before settling your claim.
Why Is the Insurance Company Calling Me?
The insurance company may be investigating the accident and trying to determine how it should handle the claim.
An adjuster may ask:
- How the accident happened
- Where the accident occurred
- What the vehicles were doing before the collision
- Whether anyone was injured
- What medical treatment you have received
- Whether you missed work
- Whether you have photographs or witnesses
These questions may sound routine, but your answers can become part of the insurer’s evaluation of the claim.
What Information Will the Adjuster Ask For?
An adjuster may ask you to describe the accident in your own words.
You should be honest. But if you don’t know something, you don’t need to guess.
For example, if you don’t know exactly how fast the other driver was traveling, say so. If you don’t remember the precise distance between the vehicles, don’t invent an estimate.
“I don’t know” is a perfectly reasonable answer when you genuinely don’t know.
Do I Have to Give a Recorded Statement?
An insurance adjuster may ask you for a recorded statement.
Whether you are required to provide one depends on the circumstances, including the applicable insurance policy and your relationship to the insurer.
A request from the other driver’s insurance company is different from a request made by your own insurer under the terms of your policy.
If you are being asked to provide a recorded statement about your injuries or an injury claim, consider speaking with a personal injury attorney before agreeing.
The goal isn’t to hide information. It’s to make sure you understand what you are being asked and how your statement may be used.
What Should I Say to the Insurance Adjuster?
The safest general approach is straightforward:
Tell the truth and stick to the facts you know.
Avoid:
- Guessing about the speed of either vehicle
- Speculating about fault
- Minimizing your injuries
- Saying you’re “fine” when you’re experiencing symptoms
- Predicting how quickly you will recover
- Discussing unrelated personal information
- Making assumptions about your future medical treatment
Your physical condition can change after an accident. You don’t need to make a definitive statement about your recovery before you know what that recovery will look like.
What If the Insurance Company Offers a Settlement?
An insurer may make a settlement offer relatively early in the claims process.
Before accepting an offer, understand what you are agreeing to.
An injury claim may involve:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Reduced ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairment
- Other losses related to the accident
Some of these losses may not be clear immediately after the accident.
A settlement may also require you to sign a release that affects your ability to pursue additional compensation.
That is why it is important to understand the full picture before accepting an offer.
What If I Haven’t Finished Medical Treatment?
This is another reason not to rush into a settlement.
If you are still receiving treatment, you may not yet know how long your recovery will take or whether additional care will be necessary.
Florida’s PIP system can help cover certain medical expenses, but PIP is only one component of the overall insurance system. Florida’s Department of Financial Services explains that PIP generally provides 80% of necessary and reasonable medical expenses and 60% of work loss, subject to applicable limits and requirements.
The existence of PIP does not automatically resolve a separate injury claim against another responsible party.
What If the Insurance Company Says I Was at Fault?
Don’t assume that an insurance company’s position automatically determines legal responsibility.
Florida’s comparative-fault statute provides for fault to be apportioned among parties in covered negligence actions. Under the current statute, a claimant’s recovery is reduced in proportion to their share of fault, and a party found more than 50% at fault for their own harm generally may not recover damages in a covered negligence action.
That makes evidence particularly important when fault is disputed.
Photographs, witness statements, crash reports, vehicle damage, surveillance footage, and other evidence may help establish what actually happened.
How Should You Handle Communication With the Insurance Company?
Keep your communications organized.
| Step | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Write down who contacted you | Keeps track of the claim |
| Identify the insurance company | Clarifies whose insurer you’re dealing with |
| Keep emails and letters | Creates a record |
| Be truthful | Prevents inaccurate information |
| Don’t speculate | Avoids unnecessary statements |
| Don’t rush a settlement | Gives you time to understand your injuries |
| Consider legal advice | Helps you understand your options |
You don’t need to be hostile toward an insurance adjuster.
You simply need to remember that the adjuster’s role is to represent the insurance company’s interests.
Why You May Need Legal Representation
Insurance claims can become complicated, especially when there are serious injuries, disputed liability, multiple insurance policies, or disagreement over the value of a claim.
An attorney can communicate with insurers, investigate the accident, evaluate insurance coverage, document losses, and negotiate on your behalf.
Legal representation isn’t about turning every accident into a lawsuit.
It’s about making sure you understand your options before making decisions that could affect your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the other driver’s insurance company contact me directly?
Yes. An insurer may contact you to investigate an accident and evaluate a potential claim.
Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
Be cautious. Whether a statement is required depends on the circumstances. If you are being asked to provide one about an injury claim, consider speaking with an attorney first.
What if I already told the insurance company that I wasn’t hurt?
That does not necessarily prevent you from pursuing a claim if you later develop symptoms. Be honest about when your symptoms began and seek appropriate medical attention.
Should I accept the first settlement offer?
Don’t feel pressured to accept an offer before you understand your injuries, expenses, and other losses.
Can I still recover if the insurance company says I was partly responsible?
Potentially. Florida law provides for comparative fault in covered negligence actions, meaning a claimant’s own share of fault can affect recovery.
Riverview resource: If the crash happened in Riverview, see our Riverview car accident lawyer page for local information and next steps.
Conclusion
A call from an insurance adjuster after a car accident may seem routine, but what you say can become part of the claim.
Be truthful. Don’t guess. Don’t minimize your injuries. And don’t feel pressured to settle before you understand the extent of your losses.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida car accident and an insurance company is contacting you about your claim, Calandro Law can help you understand your options.
