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 If, however, you are talking to the other driver’s insurance company, their job is to keep your car accident insurance claim as small as possible. Why? If their insured was at fault for the accident, they may be responsible for paying not just for your medical bills and the damage to your vehicle, but your lost wages, other expenses you incurred or will incur in the future, and general damages which include your pain and suffering. Since they could be on the hook for a lot more money than your own insurance, you’ll find some skepticism when being questioned and you have to be careful about what you say. They will try to get you to state that you have no injury, or try to minimize your personal injury claim, and get you to sign a Release and Waiver before you know what’s going on. If you were injured, you may want to speak to an attorney before talking to the other driver’s insurer so you avoid saying or signing the wrong thing which could hurt your chances of making a personal injury claim or getting paid what you deserve down the road.
 What the other driver’s insurer may ask:
• What part of your body was injured?
• Have you had any injuries or treatment to that body part ever before?
• When was the last time you were treated for an injury to that body part?
• What was your doctor’s diagnosis at that time?
This line of questioning is meant to set you up. Suppose your lower back was injured in the accident. Most people have had some back problems at some point in their lives. If you tell them that 10 years ago you injured your back at work, they may try to say this was just an aggravation of the old injury and assign it less value even if it’s been fine for the last 9 years. This is why talking to a car accident attorney first may be your best bet to protect your rights, and be certain you will get a fair settlement.
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