Whether or not you should interact with the other driver’s insurance company in the aftermath of a car crash in Ohio depends on a variety of factors in your unique case. The most important thing to do is talk to your own provider first. But for certain types of accidents, you’ll also need to work with the insurer of the other party as well.
A car accident is a dramatic experience that is often disorienting or even traumatizing, making it difficult to deal with the immediate aftermath of the crash. In the longer term, there’s the filing of your claim, which may be with your own auto insurance provider or that of the other party.
Knowing how much to say – and to whom
In cases where it’s initially unclear which of the drivers was at fault, it’s best to limit your interactions to your own insurer. This is also the case when you were the driver who caused the car crash.
Under certain circumstances, the insurance provider of the other driver may reach out to you in order to answer certain questions about the collision. While it’s generally okay to answer these questions in a straightforward way, you should be careful not to share too much and inadvertently put yourself at fault. When in doubt, refer to your own provider to find out whether it’s a good idea to give a statement or not.
When it was the other driver who clearly caused the accident, you’ll be working with their insurance company. In these cases, you can file what’s called a third-party claim, which goes directly to the other driver’s insurance provider.
Motor vehicle collisions are difficult experiences to get through, even without considering the legal process of filing a claim with insurance. It’s easier to navigate the process when you know what is and isn’t okay to talk about with both your insurance company and that of the other driver. By learning which insurance company you’ll be working with and what type of claim to file, you can get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible.