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Why You Shouldn’t Talk to the Insurance Company Alone After a Crash

After a car accident in San Marcos, you may receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster within days — or even hours — of the crash. They may sound helpful, sympathetic, or even friendly. But no matter how polite they seem, it’s important to remember one thing: insurance companies are not on your side.

At Carabin Shaw, we’ve seen firsthand how insurers use misleading tactics to reduce or deny claims. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, here’s why you should never talk to the insurance company alone — and what to do instead.

More about our San Marcos car accident attorneys here

Insurance Companies Are Profit-Driven Businesses

Insurance companies don’t make money by paying out large settlements. In fact, their business model relies on collecting premiums and minimizing payouts. Adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to protect their company’s bottom line — not your recovery.

This means that every question they ask, every form they send, and every phone call they initiate is designed to gather information that can be used to limit your compensation.

You Might Say Something That Hurts Your Case

Even innocent comments can be used against you. A simple “I’m okay” or “I didn’t see the other driver” may be twisted into an admission that your injuries aren’t serious or that you were partially at fault.

The adjuster may also ask questions like:

“How fast were you going?”
“Did you see the other vehicle before impact?”
“Were you using your phone?”

Their goal is to get you talking — and then use your words to minimize their client’s liability. If you’re not familiar with how Texas personal injury law works, it’s easy to say something that unintentionally harms your claim.

They May Push You to Settle Quickly

It’s common for insurance companies to offer a quick settlement soon after the crash — before you’ve had time to fully assess your injuries or consult with a doctor. These early offers often:

Cover only short-term medical bills
Don’t account for ongoing care or therapy
Fail to compensate for lost wages or pain and suffering
Require you to sign away your right to future claims

Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, your case is closed. You won’t be able to go back and ask for more money later — even if your condition worsens. That’s why speaking with an attorney first is so critical.

They May Downplay or Deny Your Injuries

Insurance adjusters often question the severity or origin of your injuries. They may argue that:

Your injuries are pre-existing
You delayed treatment, which “proves” you weren’t seriously hurt
The accident couldn’t have caused your reported symptoms

Without legal representation, it can be difficult to push back against these claims — especially when you’re in pain, stressed, or unfamiliar with the legal system. A lawyer can coordinate with your doctors, gather medical records, and prove the true extent of your damages.

They Will Try to Assign You Fault

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover any compensation. Even if you’re less than 51% at fault, your award will be reduced proportionally.

Insurance companies know this — and they’ll often try to shift blame onto you. They may suggest:

You weren’t paying attention
You didn’t react fast enough
You failed to yield or follow traffic laws

An experienced attorney can challenge these arguments with solid evidence and protect your right to full compensation.

You May Not Know What Your Case Is Worth

Without a legal background, it’s extremely difficult to estimate the true value of your case. Many factors must be considered, such as:

Future medical treatment
Permanent injuries or disability
Lost earning capacity
Emotional distress or PTSD
Diminished quality of life

Insurance companies count on this knowledge gap to lowball your settlement. An attorney, however, will know how to calculate every type of damage and demand fair payment.

You Deserve Legal Protection

When you hire a personal injury lawyer after a car accident in San Marcos, you gain a dedicated advocate who understands the law and has your best interests at heart. Your attorney will:

Handle all communication with insurers
Gather and preserve critical evidence
Consult with medical and accident experts
Negotiate for the highest possible settlement
File a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly

At Carabin Shaw, we take on the legal stress so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.

When You Should Speak With Insurance (and When Not To)

There are limited situations when you may need to speak to your own insurance company, such as reporting the accident or confirming coverage. Even then, it’s best to keep your responses brief and factual — and consult a lawyer first if possible.

Avoid speaking to the other driver’s insurer at all until you’ve talked to a legal professional. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement or answer their questions — and doing so can hurt your case.

Free Consultations Make It Easy to Get Help

At Carabin Shaw, we believe everyone deserves legal representation — no matter their financial situation. That’s why we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. You pay us nothing unless we win your case.

There’s no risk in speaking with a lawyer first — but there’s a lot of risk in going it alone with the insurance company.

Final Thoughts

After a car accident, it’s natural to want to trust that the insurance company will treat you fairly. But the truth is, they’re not looking out for your best interests — they’re looking out for their profits.

Speaking with a San Marcos car accident attorney before talking to the insurance company can protect your rights, strengthen your claim, and help ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Contact Carabin Shaw today for a free case review. We’re here to fight for injured Texans — and we’re ready to fight for you.

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