Getting in a car accident is so common that you’re likely to experience it every 17.9 years — according to CarInsurance.com — meaning that over your lifetime, you’re bound to get into three or four accidents. It isn’t fun, but you need to prepare for if/when it happens.
Not only should you be prepared to contact an attorney, but you should also prepare yourself for contact with an insurance adjuster, who will likely interview you about the car accident and everything relating to the accident.
An interview helps provide the adjuster with the necessary information needed to prepare your claim and potentially seek compensation for your injuries. The interview also helps prevent fraud.
If you feel intimidated by the thought, don’t be. The interview process isn’t to prosecute you but to help lay down the facts that will assist you with your claim.
What happens in the interview?
In the interview, you may feel a tad overwhelmed. The claims adjuster will be asking many questions to determine the severity of damages, how the accident occurred, and what caused the accident. The adjuster may meet with you even if you’re still recovering from your injuries.
In any case, be sure to answer each question honestly and with as much recollection as possible. Don’t worry if your memory is hazy on details of the accident. Again, be honest and don’t falsify any statements.
Questions you may be expected to answer
- Could you state your full name?
- Do you acknowledge that this interview is being recorded?
- What is the year, make, and model of the vehicle you were driving?
- Are you the owner of the vehicle? Could you provide proof of registration?
- Why were you driving the vehicle? Was it for business or government use?
- When and where did the accident occur?
- What time did the accident happen?
- How did the accident happen?
- Which direction were you driving?
- Were any other vehicles involved in the accident?
- Was any property struck by your vehicle?
- How was the traffic at the time of the accident? Was the traffic heavy or moderate?
- What was the weather like when the accident happened? Do you know if it was a contributing factor?
- Who was involved in the accident?
- Were there any passengers with you?
- Do you know what determined the cause?
- Were you wearing your seatbelt?
- Were you hurt in any manner? Where were you injured? Are the injuries continuous and long term?
- Did the airbag deploy?
- Can you provide the details of your accident? What you saw and heard?
- Did anything happen to the vehicle? Describe any damages.
- Was anyone else involved in the accident hurt?
- Were there any witnesses? Did you get their contact information?
- Did any police come to the scene? Which agency, if so? Any identifying information of the officer?
- Did the police officer write up a report?
- Was a ticket issued for the accident? To whom?
- Does the vehicle need repairs? Where is the shop that usually services your car?
- Do you have any paperwork related to the accident?
What happens after the interview?
To place a value on your accident claim, the adjuster collects and analyzes any information from the interview (as well as any other documents that would help your case).
However, you should make sure to hire a personal injury attorney to navigate this process and choose the best possible path to win your case and earn the compensation you deserve. After all, you do not want to do anything, like answer questions from the other party’s insurance claims adjuster, that would hurt your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries.
A personal injury attorney from Brett Steinberg Law is best equipped to handle your case and fight for you, all while you can focus on recovering from your accident.
