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How to Communicate With the Other Driver After a Car Accident

Car accidents happen all the time, but that doesn’t make them any less chaotic. While your car insurance will handle most of the details, you may still need to communicate with the other driver. To protect your legal rights, it’s important to handle things the right way when talking to the other driver.

At the Scene of the Accident

Once you step out of your vehicle, remain calm and level-headed. You may communicate with the other driver for reasons such as checking for injuries, moving vehicles out of traffic, or calling the police. Having a rational, polite attitude will be helpful because you will also need to collect some basic information from the other party, such as their insurance provider, phone number, and driver’s license details. When you talk to them, make sure to use neutral statements that don’t assign blame or fault, and definitely avoid taking responsibility for the accident.

After Filing a Claim

Typically, your insurance company will handle all communications after you have reported the accident. At this point, you won’t need to talk to the other driver anymore. Part of your insurance provider’s job is to investigate who is at fault in the accident, and staying in contact with the other driver can complicate the investigation. If the other driver happens to reach out to you again, refer them to your insurance representative or attorney.

What If the Other Driver Wants to Skip Insurance?

You may encounter a situation where the other driver wants to pay you out-of-pocket for damages instead of contacting your insurance companies. While there may seem to be some initial benefit to doing this, it’s not advisable to go the out-of-pocket route. The other driver may change their mind later, or you may experience latent symptoms of an injury you weren’t aware of at the time. If the other driver involved in your accident suggests doing this, don’t argue with them, but do contact your insurance provider anyway. If you have sustained an injury, no matter how minor, consider retaining a trusted personal injury attorney.

The legal and financial consequences of a car accident can be intricate, especially if you’ve been injured. The next time you experience a car accident, be sure to get ahead of any potential issues by contacting your insurance provider and a personal injury lawyer.

This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance, and family issues. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. You can find Dixie on Facebook.

Bob Kraft

I am a Dallas, Texas lawyer who has had the privilege of helping thousands of clients since 1971 in the areas of Personal Injury law and Social Security Disability.

About This Blog

The title of this blog reflects my attitude toward those government agencies and insurance companies that routinely mistreat injured or disabled people. As a Dallas, Texas lawyer, I've spent more than 45 years trying to help those poor folk, and I have been frustrated daily by the actions of the people on the other side of their claims. (Sorry if I offended you...)

If you find this type of information interesting or helpful, please visit my law firm's main website at KraftLaw.com. You will find many more articles and links. Thank you for your time.

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