After a crash, your life can flip in minutes. Your car is damaged. You may be in pain. You may be worried about work, family, and money. Then the phone rings. It is an insurance adjuster asking questions. They sound polite. They may even sound helpful. But make no mistake. Their job is to protect the insurance company, not you.
We see this every week at The Johnson Injury Firm. People call us after they give a statement, and now the insurer is using their words against them. As a Richmond, Virginia accident lawyer team, we want you to know how to handle that first call. These five tips are simple, factual, and built for the way Virginia claims really work.
Tip 1: Know That Everything You Say Can Be Used To Deny Your Claim
In Virginia, fault rules are tough. Virginia follows contributory negligence. If an insurer can pin even a small fault on you, they may deny the entire claim. That is why adjusters ask questions that sound casual but are designed to find a mistake in your story.
What This Sounds Like On A Call
They may ask things like:
- Are you sure you looked before changing lanes
- How fast were you going
- Did you see the other car before impact
- Could you have stopped sooner
If you answer without thinking, you may say something like, I guess I could have braked earlier. In Virginia, that one line can be used to argue you share blame. Then they try to pay nothing.
What We Want You To Do
Keep your answers short and factual. Do not guess. Do not fill the silence. If you do not know, say you do not know. If you are not sure, say so. Never accept blame on the phone, even partly, until the facts are fully reviewed.
Tip 2: Do Not Give A Recorded Statement Right Away
Insurance companies often push for a recorded statement early. They say it is routine. It is not routine for you. It is a tool for them. Virginia lawyers regularly warn that recorded or signed statements can be used to claim contributory negligence.
Why Recorded Statements Are Risky
Right after a crash:
- You may be in shock
- You may not feel pain yet
- You may not know the full sequence of events
- You may not have seen every detail
A recorded statement locks you into an early version of the story. If medical symptoms show up later or a witness comes forward, the adjuster may say you changed your story. They will use that to challenge credibility.
A Safer Approach
You can give basic facts without recording. You can confirm the date, location, and vehicles involved. You can tell them you will provide more details after you get medical care and review the report. If they keep pushing, say you want to speak with an auto accident attorney in Richmond, VA first. That is reasonable.
Tip 3: Stick To The Core Facts And Avoid Extra Details
Adjusters are trained to let you talk. The more you talk, the more they can use. Your goal is the opposite. You want to give only what is needed to open the claim.
Core Facts To Share
Keep it simple:
- Your name and contact information
- Date and time of the crash
- General location
- Vehicles involved
- Whether police responded
- Where your car is located
- That you are getting medical care
That is enough for the first call.
Details To Avoid
Do not discuss:
- Speed estimates, unless you are certain
- What do you think you could have done differently
- Whether you are fine
- How the crash felt in your body
- Prior injuries or medical history
- Anything a witness said, unless you have it in writing
If they ask about injuries, say you are still being evaluated and will update them when you know more. Many injuries in car wrecks appear later, like whiplash or concussion issues.
Tip 4: Do Not Accept A Quick Settlement Offer
A fast offer feels like relief. But it usually signals the insurer thinks your case is worth more. We see low early offers all the time. Most people do not know their full medical costs in the first days or weeks.
Why Early Settlements Cost You
Once you sign a release, your claim is over. Even if:
- You need more treatment later
- You miss more work later
- Pain gets worse
- A specialist finds a serious injury
The insurer will not reopen the case.
What We Want You To Do Instead
Wait until your doctors understand your injury and your recovery path. Then you can value the claim based on real numbers, not guesses. A Richmond car accident lawyer can also calculate damages you may miss, like future care needs, lost earning ability, and pain impact.
Tip 5: Track Everything You Send And Get A Lawyer Involved Early
The strongest claims are organized claims. Insurance companies stall when records are missing or unclear. Your job is to keep a clean paper trail. Our job is to handle the legal fight.
What To Track After The Call
Create a simple claim folder. Include:
- Claim number and adjuster name
- Date and time of every call
- Notes on what was said
- Photos of vehicles and the scene
- Police report number
- Medical visit dates
- Bills and receipts
- Work notes showing time missed
- Repair estimates
If you believe the other driver may be uninsured, you can also file a crash report request with the Virginia DMV to confirm insurance details.
Why Early Legal Help Matters In Virginia
Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations for injury claims. That sounds like a long time, but evidence fades fast. The video gets erased. Witnesses move. Vehicles are repaired. Early legal action protects your proof and your timeline.
When you hire us, we:
- Take over insurer calls
- Prevent damaging statements
- Collect and preserve evidence
- Prove fault under Virginia rules
- Build medical support for your damages
- Push for a fair settlement
- File suit if needed
That is what a Richmond, Virginia accident lawyer is for.
Extra Guidance For Common Adjuster Traps
Adjuster tactics are predictable. Here is how to handle the most common ones.
They Ask, Are You Okay
Say, I am getting checked by a doctor. That is it. Do not say you are fine. Do not say you are not hurt. Those words get written down and used later.
They Ask For Permission To Access Your Medical Records
Do not give broad permission. They may go fishing for unrelated history. We help clients share only what is relevant to the crash.
They Say, We Just Need Your Side Of The Story
They already have a goal. Your side matters, but only when it is supported by evidence and said the right way.
They Try To Keep You Talking
Silence is not rude. It is safe. Answer the question asked, then stop.
What To Do If You Already Gave A Statement
If you already gave a recorded statement, do not panic. Call us anyway. We can still:
- Review the statement for risk points
- Gather counter evidence
- Correct the record with written proof
- Handle future communication
A statement is not the full case. Evidence still drives the outcome.
Call Our Office for Assistance
Speaking to an insurance company after an accident is not a normal conversation. It is a legal event. In Virginia, one careless sentence can cost you the whole claim because of contributory negligence. So slow down. Stay factual. Protect your words.
If you want help, call us at The Johnson Injury Firm. We are here to guide you through every call, every form, and every step. As your auto accident attorney in Richmond, VA, we will handle the insurance pressure so you can focus on healing.
