What Happens if I Don't Contact My Insurance After an Accident?

05th April 2023     Sophia Hogg



What Happens if I Don’t Contact My Insurance After an Accident?

Many fear contacting their insurance company after an accident because they think their premium rates will increase. However, not contacting your insurance company may lead to unexpected results, especially if you’ve been injured and have medical bills and property damage to pay for.

Suppose you have been involved in a vehicle accident and don’t know what to do. Reach out to an expert in auto accident law to learn your options, especially when you suffer from injuries. A personal injury attorney will advise you whether you should contact your insurance company after an accident and other opportunities to get compensated for your injuries and property damage.

Am I Required to Report the Accident to Anyone?

The Texas Transportation Code section 550.026 says that you must report a car accident immediately to the police if there has been an injury, death, or severe vehicular damage. 

It’s a good idea to report the accident to the police even if you aren’t required to. The police report and other documents will contain helpful information that will help insurance companies and attorneys investigate the case and conclude who was at fault.

Information Needed When Reporting an Accident to Insurance Companies

When you do contact your insurance company, you should supply them with as much information as possible. Below are some examples of data that may be important to your insurance company:

  • Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance policy numbers for everyone involved in the accident
  • Location, date, and time of the accident
  • Photos of damaged vehicles and accident scene
  • Weather conditions
  • Copies of the police report

Once you have filed your claim and supplied all the information available, adjusters will be appointed to handle your case and investigate the claim. Their job will be to try and minimize the compensation the insurer will have to pay. They will investigate the claim by:

  • Inspecting the damaged vehicle
  • Evaluating the damage
  • Addressing any personal injury claims
  • Analyzing police reports
  • Interviewing witnesses

They may even require you to get an estimate of how much it will cost to fix the damage to your vehicle. The insurer will then compare the estimated figure with the adjuster’s evaluation. Once the investigation is complete, they will give you an amount that they feel will provide adequate compensation for your losses. Of course, you don’t have to accept it if you think the amount is insufficient. Instead, consult a personal injury lawyer to fight for just compensation.

What Happens if I Don’t Contact My Insurance After an Accident?

There’s nothing illegal about not contacting your insurance company. If the accident happens on your own property and doesn’t involve any other drivers, then there’s no reason to report the accident to your insurance company. The decision not to report is especially true if you can afford to pay to fix the damage yourself or if the amount of damage is equal to or less than the deductible. You may even choose not to repair the damage.

Most automobile insurance contracts require you to report an accident when other drivers are involved, when there are deaths or injuries, or when there is extensive property damage. The insurance companies find it essential to know if other drivers could have been at fault. 

Some insurance companies give a time limit to report an accident so that they may investigate as well. Then, if they find that it’s the other driver’s fault, they will contact the other driver’s insurance company for compensation.

If you don’t report the accident to your insurance company soon after your accident, they may deny your claim. Your insurance company may say that the delay was unreasonable or you needed to give them time to investigate the claim themselves. They could also say that it jeopardized the chance for the at-fault driver’s insurance company to compensate them for paying towards your financial losses. If your insurance company denies your claim, seek help from a personal injury lawyer. 

Consult With Northeast Texas Personal Injury Attorney Dale Rose About Your Auto Accident Case

Being involved in an accident is scary and confusing. You may have been injured, accrued medical bills, suffered property damage that you must pay for, and possibly lost wages. Dale Rose empathizes with your financial and emotional stress and hopes to help alleviate that.

Over the years, Dale Rose guided many clients through their auto accident claims. He was able to make them whole again through the compensation he got for them, and he can do the same for you. Contact us today for a free consultation at (972) 634-ROSE (7673) or by completing our contact form.

dummy

Dale R. Rose

Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, has been a victim of a workplace accident, or any other personal injury, Dale Rose is the best attorney for you in McKinney, Texas. With 25+ years of experience, Dale is committed to helping you get the compensation & justice you deserve.

Subscribe Our Newsletter: BY Dale R. Rose

Our Accreditation


Best Personal Injury Lawyers in McKinney
badges
badges
badges
badges
badges
badges
badges
badges
badges
badges

IBRIDGE law corporation