Carabin Shaw is one of the leading personal injury law firms in Texas. They have extensive experience in car accident cases, focusing on securing compensation for clients’ medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Specialization: Personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, 18-wheeler accidents.
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Why choose them? Carabin Shaw offers a free initial consultation, and their team is known for fighting aggressively for their clients’ rights.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Houston Car Accident
After a car accident in Houston, one of the first things you’ll likely encounter is a call from an insurance adjuster. Whether it’s your own insurer or the other driver’s provider, the conversation might seem friendly—but make no mistake: insurance companies are not on your side. Their primary goal is to reduce what they pay you. That’s why understanding how to handle insurance companies after a crash is vital to protecting your rights and maximizing compensation. Find more information on our Houston Car Accident Lawyers here
In this guide, we’ll explain what to expect from insurance companies, what you should (and shouldn’t) say, and why involving a Houston car accident attorney early on can make all the difference.
The Role of Insurance Companies After a Crash
When a car accident occurs in Texas, insurance companies determine who was at fault and how much should be paid in damages. Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the insurance company for the driver who caused the accident is generally responsible for compensating the injured party. Time is of the essence, call our Car Accident Lawyer in Houston Today
There are typically two insurance companies involved:
Your own insurer – You may file a claim for medical bills, property damage, or uninsured motorist coverage.
The at-fault driver’s insurer – They’re responsible for paying if their client caused the crash.
Regardless of which company you’re dealing with, remember this: they are financially motivated to minimize what they owe you.
What You Must Do vs. What You Should Avoid
What You Should Do:
Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible, even if you’re not at fault.
Stick to the facts when describing the accident. Share only basic information such as the time, date, location, and the fact that there were injuries.
Keep copies of all communications, emails, and letters from insurance companies.
Document everything: medical visits, bills, receipts, lost wages, and damage estimates.
Hire a car accident attorney before giving a recorded statement or accepting any settlement offer.
What You Should Avoid:
Don’t admit fault, even casually, during any conversation.
Don’t provide a recorded statement without legal advice.
Don’t speculate about how the accident occurred or the extent of your injuries.
Don’t accept the first settlement offer, which is often significantly lower than what you may deserve.
Common Insurance Tactics Used to Undermine Your Claim
Insurance companies use several strategies to reduce or deny payouts. Some of the most common include:
1. The “Quick Settlement” Trap
After the crash, you might get an early offer from the insurer—often within days. This offer is almost always far lower than the true value of your claim. The insurer is hoping you’ll accept before understanding the full extent of your injuries or financial losses.
2. Asking for a Recorded Statement
Insurers may pressure you to give a recorded statement under the pretense that it’s “required” to process your claim. It’s not. These recordings are often used to twist your words, highlight inconsistencies, or make it seem like you weren’t seriously injured.
3. Delaying the Claims Process
By dragging their feet, insurance companies hope to wear you down or make you desperate enough to accept a lowball offer. This tactic is especially common when dealing with large claims involving serious injuries.
4. Disputing Medical Treatment
Insurers may claim your treatment was unnecessary, your injuries were pre-existing, or that you waited too long to see a doctor. This is why it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment plans closely.
5. Blaming You for the Accident
Texas’s comparative negligence law allows insurers to reduce or deny your compensation if they can prove you were partially or mostly at fault. Adjusters may try to shift blame by misrepresenting your actions or misinterpreting the crash scene.
Why You Shouldn’t Handle the Insurance Company Alone
Even if the accident seems straightforward, trying to negotiate directly with insurance companies can backfire. Without legal experience, you may:
Undervalue your claim
Miss important deadlines
Provide damaging statements
Sign away your rights
A Houston car accident attorney levels the playing field. They understand how insurance companies operate and can take over all communication, negotiation, and paperwork, giving you peace of mind.
How our Lawyer Helps Handle Insurers
A skilled attorney will:
Investigate the accident to gather evidence that supports your claim
Calculate the full value of your economic and non-economic damages
Negotiate with adjusters to seek fair settlement offers
Prepare a demand letter backed by solid documentation
Represent you in court, if necessary, when insurers refuse to pay fairly
In many cases, just having an attorney involved encourages the insurance company to take your claim more seriously and offer more appropriate compensation.
What If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance—or not enough to cover your damages—you may need to file a claim with your own insurer under:
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
While these policies are designed to protect you, your own insurance company becomes your adversary in this situation. A lawyer ensures your provider doesn’t shortchange you when you need them most.
Time Limits for Dealing with Insurance Claims
In Texas, you generally have:
Two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit
Varying deadlines within insurance policies for notifying the provider of a claim (often within 30 days)
Missing any of these deadlines can hurt your case. Your attorney will ensure all filings are timely and compliant with the terms of your policy.
What to Say (and Not Say) to the Insurance Adjuster
You Should Say:
“I was involved in an accident on [date] at [location].”
“Here is my contact information and the police report number.”
“Please direct any further questions to my attorney.”
You Should Not Say:
“I feel fine.” (You might have latent injuries.)
“I think it was my fault.” (Fault is for investigators to determine.)
“Yes, you can record this.” (Recorded statements can be used against you.)
When in doubt, say nothing and consult your attorney.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident in Houston requires caution, strategy, and legal awareness. Even if the insurer seems cooperative, remember that their goal is to pay as little as possible. Protect yourself by avoiding common pitfalls, saying only what’s necessary, and consulting a trusted attorney as soon as possible.
The right legal representation can mean the difference between a lowball settlement and the compensation you truly deserve. Don’t go it alone—contact a Houston car accident attorney and let a professional advocate handle the insurance company while you focus on healing.
