Admissions of guilt or anything that could be construed as an admission of guilt is the key thing that you should not be telling your insurance company after a motorcycle accident. Doing so could affect your right to compensation or even give the other party an opening to file a lawsuit against you.
How to Communicate With Your Insurer
Getting in touch with your insurance company after a motorcycle accident is often essential to recovering compensation. You will need to report the accident to your insurer and tell them:
- What happened
- What types of injuries and damages you sustained
- What types of injuries and damages the other party sustained
- Whether there is any chance the other party may sue you
Your insurer will probably conduct an investigation to decide for themselves how the accident happened and how much compensation they feel is warranted. As part of this investigation, they may:
- Interview you about the accident—they may even record your statement
- Request documentation (e.g., medical records) from you and other involved parties
- Ask to see your motorcycle to evaluate the damage done to it
You should always cooperate with your insurer’s investigation to the best of your ability. Failure to do so could jeopardize your chance to recover compensation. However, this does not mean you have to put yourself at risk by speaking to the insurance company alone.
A Lawyer’s Guidance Is Invaluable
A motorcycle accident lawyer can accompany you to all meetings with the insurance company and, in some cases, represent you at these meetings. They can prepare you to answer questions or give statements by:
- Telling you what kinds of questions the insurer is likely to ask
- Advising you of what to say and what not to say
- Interrupting the interview if the insurer says or does anything that may infringe on your rights
Your lawyer can also serve as a “go-between” during all communications with the insurance company. This means the insurer would call or email them instead of you with information and updates about your case. Your lawyer would then let you know what they have said and help you figure out how to respond.
For a free legal consultation, call 877-239-4878
How to Communicate With Another Party’s Insurer
Unless you were the only person involved in the accident—for example, the street was empty when you skidded off the road—you will likely be contacted by an insurance company representing the other drivers, motorcyclists, or pedestrians who were impacted by the crash.
These insurance companies have ample reason to try to pin the blame for the accident on you, including a desire to:
- Protect their own clients’ rights
- Reduce the amount they must pay by claiming you are the sole or main liable party
- Give their clients an advantage in any lawsuit that either of you brings
As such, it is even more important that you watch what you say around them. Again, a motorcycle accident attorney can protect your rights in this regard by serving as your communications manager throughout your case.
What Should I Say to Other Parties?
Even if you are speaking with someone not affiliated with the case, it is important that you watch what you say. Insurers can use any sort of public statement to try to undermine your case. For example, they may look at:
- Police reports
- Your social media posts
- Any interviews you granted to reporters
In general, it is a good idea to say as little as possible about the accident in public. It is necessary to cooperate with the police investigation, and posting on social media and speaking to reporters is unnecessary and should be avoided.
Even a seemingly innocuous statement—for example, an offhand remark that you glanced away from the road for a split second—could be used against you.
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What does My Motorcycle Insurance Cover?
Per the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), all motorcycle owners in the state are required to carry a policy that covers at least:
- $30,000 for each injured party
- $60,000 for each accident
- $25,000 for property damage for each accident
Your policy may cover more or different types of injuries than those listed above. You can check by contacting your insurance agent and/or asking a lawyer to review your policy.
Understanding your insurance policy is critical to receiving compensation after an accident, so it is okay to contact your insurance company with questions about it. If you are nervous about talking to them alone or unsure of what to ask, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
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Let Us Talk to the Insurance Company
After a motorcycle accident, call in the Strong Arm. Loncar Lyon Jenkins can represent you in meetings with the insurance company and prevent you from telling them things you should not. We even work on a contingency basis, so you owe us no attorney’s fees unless we win your case for you.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
