Getting in a crash is frustrating. Mainly because we didn’t ask for any of this to happen. Now I have to talk to an adjuster that acts nice but really doesn’t have my best interests in mind?
No thanks.
One of the best things that I can do for you is for you to focus on getting better while I deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Here’s a helpful guide of do’s and don’ts after you experience a personal injury:
1. Do hire an attorney that you feel comfortable dealing with. One that specializes in personal injuries and talks to these insurance companies daily. It doesn’t have to be me. There’s always an attorney with the right fit for your situation.
2. Don’t give a recorded statement to someone else’s insurance company. You are not required to when it’s the other person’s insurance. If you are trying to make a claim with your own insurance, you are required to provide a recorded statement but I would at least wait until you get the police report before you do so.
3. Do get a copy of your own police report. Go to this website: https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/app/home to lookup and purchase your police report. It takes about 7-15 days for that report to show up on the website. You are entitled to your own unredacted copy. It’s about $7 and worth it. That is always the starting point for an insurance company. If your story lines up with the police investigation, that’s golden.
4. Don’t ignore a police report that is wrong. Meaning if you get the police report and it’s wrong then call the officer and let them know that what’s on the report is inaccurate. The officer’s name is on the bottom of the report. They’re required to write in an addendum of the additional information you gave to them. This is something not even I can do when I represent clients. The officer needs to hear it from the client directly.
5. Do get the CR3 CS Code sheet to decipher the crash report. https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records/forms-law-enforcement.html This helps you to understand who was at fault. The second page about halfway down is a contribution section. It will have a unit number and a contributing factor. Find what unit number has your name and lookup who is at fault for what.
6. Don’t let your property damage claim drag on. Without a car I wouldn’t be able to get to work like many people. But the person who hit you, assuming it’s their fault and that they had an active policy in place, will cover the repairs and a rental of a similar vehicle for you to continue living your life. Don’t let that drag on.
7. Do be kind and courteous when dealing with adjusters. They are human too and just trying to do their job. If you do disagree, be stern but not rude. Always try to back up what you are trying to prove by showing them something and not just telling them. Photos, documents, or anything else that you can show them will always be the best route. This allows the adjuster to paper the file to get what you need. Adjusters are working within a framework created by multi billion dollar companies (on occasion) and they have systems in place that adjusters can’t get around unless you can send them the documentation to back up your position.
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