It usually starts with a voicemail. Then another. Then a call that comes while you’re still icing your neck and trying to figure out how your car went from drivable to totaled overnight.
A friendly voice says they’re “checking in” or “just trying to get your side of the story.” They work for the other driver’s insurance company. They want to ask a few questions. It’ll only take five minutes.
If you were hit in a car crash and the other driver’s insurance keeps calling, you may be asking yourself two things:
These are smart questions. The answers matter more than you think. If you’ve suffered serious injuries, the wrong move in these early conversations could affect everything that happens next—your medical bills, your recovery, your settlement, and even your peace of mind.
At DP Injury Attorneys in San Diego, we represent people just like you. People who did nothing wrong. People who are now getting calls from professionals trained to minimize what they’re owed.
Here’s what you need to know before you pick up the phone.
When you’re in a car crash that involves injury or damage, the insurance companies on both sides want details. Quickly.
If the crash wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s insurance company may:
They’ll say it’s just routine. That they’re trying to close the claim quickly. That it’s all in your best interest.
But here’s the truth:
Their goal is not to help you. It’s to protect their company.
That means limiting your claim. Saving money. Closing your file with as little paid out as possible.
Even innocent answers—“I think I’m okay” or “I didn’t see them coming”—can be twisted to hurt your case.
Here’s our answer: not without legal advice first.
You are not legally required to speak to the other driver’s insurance company. And if your injuries are serious, it’s not just risky—it’s a mistake.
They are trained to ask leading questions. To push for recorded statements. To make you feel like saying no means you’re hiding something.
But here’s what they don’t want you to realize:
Once you give a statement, you cannot take it back. And if your injuries evolve—if the pain gets worse, or you need surgery later—anything you said early on may be used to argue that you’re exaggerating or inconsistent.
That’s why we tell injured people in San Diego: talk to a personal injury lawyer first. Always.
We’ve seen it all. Here’s how adjusters try to rush or manipulate the process:
They’ll use phrases like “we just want to make things easier” or “let’s get this taken care of so you can move on.” This friendly tone hides the fact that they’re already building a case—against you.
They may tell you it’s required. It’s not. Once it’s recorded, that tape can be picked apart. Insurance companies have legal teams trained to use those recordings to limit or deny claims.
If they’re offering cash within days, that’s a red flag. It usually means your claim is worth a lot more. Once you take that check, you can’t go back and ask for more if complications arise later.
They’ll try to get you to speculate, guess, or downplay your injuries. Even saying “I’m doing okay” on a tough day can be used later to argue that you weren’t really hurt.
You don’t need to answer right away—or at all. If you’ve hired a personal injury lawyer, the adjuster must go through your attorney.
That’s one of the biggest benefits of legal representation. It stops the calls. It takes the pressure off your shoulders. And it shifts the conversation from “how fast can we close this?” to “what is this claim actually worth?”
Once we’re on your case, you don’t talk to them. We do.
If you already answered their questions, don’t panic. But stop speaking to them now.
Let a lawyer review what you said. In many cases, we can manage the fallout, clarify the record, and prevent the insurance company from taking things out of context. But the sooner you bring in help, the better we can protect your case.
If you were hit in a serious car crash in San Diego and the other driver was at fault, here’s what hiring a personal injury lawyer does for you:
Most importantly, we help you avoid early traps that reduce the value of your claim before you even know how hurt you really are.
Immediately after the crash—or as soon as the calls start. The earlier we get involved, the more we can protect. There’s no downside.
At DP Injury Attorneys, we offer free consultations. We don’t charge anything unless we win. And we’ll tell you upfront whether you need a lawyer or not. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just honest advice from a team that’s been through this hundreds of times.
You’re not obligated to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not ever—if you’ve hired legal counsel.
If you’ve been in a serious car accident and the adjusters keep calling, there’s a reason they’re moving fast. They want you to make decisions before you know your rights.
Slow the process down. Get real advice. Let us protect your claim.
Contact DP Injury Attorneys in San Diego today for your free case review. We’ll handle the calls, the paperwork, and the pushback—so you can focus on healing.
Arthur Paul D’Egidio is the Managing Partner of DP Injury Attorneys, a San Diego personal injury law firm. With more than 12 years of experience in California injury law, he has dedicated his practice to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and falls, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Arthur received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California as well as the San Diego County Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a Super Lawyer for seven straight years by Thomson Reuters and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers.
