Reporting Your Car Accident to the Kansas City Insurance Company

Surely you have seen the commercials, and read the blogs, that instruct you not to speak to the car insurance company before speaking to a Kansas City attorney. This may leave you wondering what to say, since at the very minimum you have to notify them of your accident. We advise our clients to only state the basics, as follows:

• Where the accident occurred. You can share specific streets, locations, etc...but do so precisely (ex. "The car crash was at 5th & Main Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66210."); 
• When the crash took place. This is only to include the month, day, year and time of the accident (ex. "Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at 12:50 p.m..");
• The type of accident. Be careful here not to draw conclusions, give details or take fault for the accident (ex. "The accident was a car vs. car.");
• You were injured and have/plan to seek medical care. If you have already received care for something (ex. a cut that required stitches on the date of the accident) you can share that with the insurance company. Make certain to also tell the adjuster that the full extent of you injuries are still under investigation and that the necessary details will be provided through your attorney. Do not minimize you injuries. Do not say that you are only seeking medical attention for a specific injury. There may be injuries that you cannot see and/or that take weeks to manifest.
• The vehicles involved. State just that and only that (ex. "My 2010 Saturn, L200 and the other party's 2012 Toyota, 4Runner.").

It probably will feel strange to speak in this matter-of-fact fashion. To make this easier, we suggest that you set boundaries at the beginning of the conversation (ex. "This accident and my injuries are still under review, and I am under/will be seeking medical care and professional advice. I will be providing you only with the details necessary to notify you that I was in an accident that caused me injury and damages.") Remember- Do not put anything in writing, sign any documents, or allow a recorded conversation without speaking to an attorney first.

Attorney T. Morton, and her team, are available for free consultations and to help you through the claims process. Call us today at 913.602.7288 or complete the is FORM.