After a car accident, dealing with insurance adjusters can feel like stepping into an interview you’re not prepared for, especially when the questions come fast, and the pressure to settle comes early. Clear guidance can be the difference between protecting your rights and unintentionally giving the insurer information that weakens your car accident claim.
Sieben Polk P.A. brings decades of Minnesota experience to your claim and can navigate every part of the auto insurance process while communicating with adjusters on your behalf. Contact us online for a free case review so we can start planning your next steps.
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- Insurance companies focus on managing claim costs, which can lead to early pressure, quick settlement offers, and requests for statements that may affect your claim.
- Minnesota follows a no-fault system, meaning your own insurance provides initial benefits, but serious injuries may allow you to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver.
- Speaking through an experienced car accident lawyer protects your rights, prevents missteps with insurers, and strengthens your claim from the beginning.
- Documenting the accident and your injuries is essential, as strong records help counter disputes and support full compensation.
Dealing With Car Insurance Companies After an Accident
Dealing with insurance after a car accident can quickly overwhelm your life, especially when the crash disrupts your routine, health, and sense of stability. Insurance companies are prioritizing protecting their bottom line, not your recovery, which means they may delay your auto insurance claim, push for a quick settlement, or look for statements they can use to limit what they pay. Our firm provides steady support and security because our attorneys handle all communication with insurers, protect your rights, and guide your car accident claim toward the full compensation you deserve.
A Guide to Auto Insurance Claims
Auto insurance claims in Minnesota follow a structured process unique to our state’s no-fault system. This process allows injured drivers to access no-fault PIP benefits through their own insurer and, when injuries meet Minnesota’s legal thresholds, pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. Understanding each step can help you avoid delays, protect your rights, and recognize when an attorney should step in to communicate with insurers on your behalf.
Essential Tips for Talking to Insurance Companies
Protecting yourself after a car accident starts with knowing what to say and what not to say when insurance companies call. Insurers are trained to ask questions that can limit the value of your auto insurance claim, even when you’re simply trying to cooperate. Speaking through a car accident lawyer ensures nothing you say is taken out of context or used to weaken your case.
Keep Detailed Records
Keeping thorough documentation strengthens your claim and prevents disputes later. Document the accident by saving:
- Photos
- The police report
- Witness information
- Correspondence from insurers
Document your injuries by tracking:
- Symptoms
- Treatment dates
- Medical bills
- How the crash has impacted work or daily tasks
These records help your attorney present a clear and verifiable picture of your losses.
Do Not Admit Fault
Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as accepting blame. Even casual comments or apologizing at the scene can be used by insurance companies to suggest you were partially responsible. Minnesota insurers look for any reason to reduce payouts, so staying factual and avoiding speculation protects your claim. Let your attorney speak for you when fault is being discussed.
Do Not Give a Statement to the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
The at-fault driver’s insurer may ask for a recorded or written statement, but providing one can harm your case. While you may need to cooperate with your own insurer under your policy, you are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Their goal is to gather information they can use to minimize what they must pay, and anything you say can be used against you.
Common Car Insurance Tactics to Be Aware Of
Insurance companies often use strategies designed to limit what they pay after a crash, including shifting blame, minimizing your injuries, and pressuring you into fast settlements. Recognizing these tactics helps you respond strategically, and working with us ensures you have legal guidance that protects your rights and positions your case for full compensation.
Avoid Early Settlement and Lowball Offers
Insurance companies push quick settlements because early payouts are cheaper and prevent you from understanding the full extent of your injuries. These offers often come before you’ve seen a specialist or completed treatment, and accepting too soon can leave you with compensation that doesn’t cover future medical care, lost income, or long-term effects of the accident.
Recorded Statements: What You Need to Know Before Speaking
A recorded statement is a phone interview that the insurance company uses to gather information that may be used to challenge your claim. Adjusters may suggest it’s required, but you are not legally obligated to give one to the at-fault driver’s insurer. These statements often capture inconsistencies that they can use to limit compensation. Our attorneys handle all communication so nothing is taken out of context or used against you.
Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring an experienced Minnesota car accident lawyer is one of the most effective ways to protect your rights and strengthen your insurance claim. While insurers work to limit payouts, an attorney levels the playing field by handling communication, gathering evidence, and advocating for full compensation. As you focus on healing, your legal team manages the pressure, delays, and tactics that can otherwise stand in your way.
How an experienced lawyer supports your car accident claim:
- Investigate your claim thoroughly
- Maximize your settlement
- Communicate with the insurance companies for you
- Provide peace of mind during a stressful time
- Protect you from unfair blame
- Prepare your case for litigation if needed
Why Should I Choose Sieben Polk P. A. For My Car Accident Claim?
We have spent more than 50 years helping Minnesotans rebuild their lives after serious accidents, and this experience shapes how we support our clients with individually tailored legal services from the very first call. You’re never treated like a file number here. You’re listened to, protected, and guided through a process that can otherwise feel isolating and overwhelming.
Many people reach out to us after insurance companies have already started calling repeatedly, asking for statements, or pushing for fast, unfair settlements. Matthew’s story shows just how overwhelming that pressure can feel, and how much of a difference an experienced legal team can make on your case results.
Contact Sieben Polk P.A. For Your Free Car Accident Consultation Today
Whether you’re dealing with insurance pressure, unclear next steps, or concerns about your rights, reaching out early can make a meaningful difference in your case.
Contact us today by calling (651) 437-3148, visiting our office in Eagan, or filling out our online contact form.
Car Accident and Insurance FAQs: What Every Driver Should Know
Will My Insurance Rate Go Up After An Accident?
Your insurance rate may increase after an accident if your insurer believes you were at fault or partially responsible. Rate changes depend on your policy, your driving history, and how your insurer evaluates risk.
Is Minnesota a No-Fault State
Minnesota is a no-fault state, meaning your own insurance pays for certain medical expenses and wage losses through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), regardless of who caused the crash.
How Much Does a Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a car accident lawyer is nothing up front. Our firm works on a contingency fee, which means you only pay if compensation is recovered for your claim.
Can You Get Compensation For An Accident That Was Your Fault?
Limited compensation for an accident that was your fault may be available through your own no-fault PIP benefits, which cover medical bills and wage loss regardless of fault. Pain and suffering damages may be limited or reduced if you were partially at fault. Under Minnesota’s comparative fault rules, you may still recover compensation if you were less than 51% responsible, though your recovery can be reduced by your share of fault.
What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance in Minnesota?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you can pursue compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM benefits help pay for injuries, lost wages, and other damages the uninsured driver would have been responsible for.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit for a Minnesota Car Accident?
Minnesota’s car accident statute of limitations generally gives you up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and up to six years for property damage claims. However, exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances. Speaking with a Minnesota attorney early helps preserve your rights and key evidence.
