Battle Born Injury Lawyers | September 23, 2025 | Personal Injury
It is normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do after an accident. One of the most common questions is whether to contact your insurance company right away or call a lawyer first. The order in which you take these steps can significantly impact your financial recovery and overall case outcome. Here is what you should know.
What Happens If You Call the Insurance Company First?
Many accident victims instinctively reach out to their insurer or the other driver’s insurance company after a car accident. Doing so often feels logical. You want to report the event, secure coverage for repairs, and figure out any medical payments. This may seem harmless, but it can create serious challenges for your injury claim if not handled carefully.
Be wary of:
- Recorded statements: Insurance adjusters often request recorded statements. Without legal guidance, you may unintentionally say something that reduces or invalidates your claim.
- Admitting fault, even inadvertently: Simple phrases like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see them” can be used to argue that you admitted liability.
- Underestimating damages: Early settlement offers often fail to cover long-term medical costs, lost wages, or pain and suffering, since the full extent of your injuries may not be known.
Speaking to the insurance company first may satisfy reporting requirements, but it exposes you to risks that can harm your financial recovery. It is not always wrong to call, but it is important to be cautious and avoid making statements that can weaken your case.
Why Might Calling a Lawyer First Help?
Reaching out to a lawyer before engaging with insurers offers several important benefits. A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can provide insurance claims advice, protect your rights, and guide you through the early stages when mistakes are most costly. This allows you to focus on your recovery while someone experienced handles the legal complexities.
Here is how calling a lawyer first can help:
- A lawyer can explain how they can assist in insurance claims, including what to say and what not to say when adjusters call.
- A lawyer can evaluate the full value of your economic and non-economic damages for medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering that insurers often ignore.
- A lawyer can handle communications with insurance adjusters, preventing you from falling victim to tactics designed to minimize payouts.
- A lawyer can help preserve evidence early, such as photos, reports, and witness statements, which can strengthen your claim later.
Contacting a lawyer first gives you an advocate who knows how insurers operate. This lets you begin a personal injury claim from a position of strength, rather than leaving you vulnerable to early mistakes.
When Might It Be Okay to Talk to the Insurance Company First?
There are limited circumstances where contacting your insurance company may not put your claim at serious risk. These situations generally involve minor and straightforward accidents. Reaching out to your insurer in such cases may be more about fulfilling your policy obligations than navigating liability issues.
This may apply when:
- A claim involves only property damage with minimal or no injuries.
- An accident occurs where the other party clearly admitted fault, and the costs are modest.
- You must report the incident to comply with your policy, but you keep your statement factual and straightforward.
Even in these circumstances, being cautious is important. Stick to the basic facts without offering unnecessary commentary or opinions. Taking the extra step of consulting a lawyer can even give you peace of mind and help ensure you do not inadvertently say something that could weaken your claim.
Contact Battle Born Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
It is better to call a lawyer in most cases before making detailed contact with an insurance company. Speaking with a lawyer early can help you gain a clearer understanding of the claims process and protect you from accepting compensation that is less than you are owed.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Las Vegas, contact one of our lawyers at Battle Born Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Clark County and its surrounding areas.
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Downtown Las Vegas Office
400 S 4th St Suite 290,
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 703-6102
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
10789 W Twain Ave #100
Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 297-7164
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Reno Office
675 W Moana Ln #206
Reno, NV 89509, USA
(775) 252-4219
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
8540 S Eastern Ave #200
Henderson, NV 89123
(702) 723-7095
