The Shoulder
The Shoulder
47
Insurancebright-marten-408

Other driver's insurance called me the morning after my crash — is that normal??

So I got rear-ended pretty hard at a red light two days ago. I'm still sore, haven't even seen a doctor yet, and my car is just sitting in the driveway looking sad. I was honestly still in shock-mode yesterday, just trying to figure out basic stuff like how to get to work.

Then this morning my phone rings — it's an adjuster from the other driver's insurance company. Not mine. Theirs. Before I've done basically anything.

I wasn't prepared at all. I kind of just fumbled through it, said I was still sore but didn't know the extent, and that my car needs to be looked at. The adjuster was super friendly and upbeat, which somehow made me more nervous, not less. She kept asking me to "just describe in your own words" what happened and how I was feeling physically.

I didn't say anything crazy I think? But I also didn't really know what I was supposed to say or not say. I got off the phone feeling kind of unsettled.

A few things I'm wondering:

  • Is it normal for them to call this fast?
  • Should I have even taken that call?
  • Does what I said already matter if I haven't made any kind of formal claim yet?
  • I still haven't seen a doctor — does that hurt me?

I'm not trying to sue anybody or "get rich" or whatever. I just don't want to accidentally mess up my ability to be made whole if it turns out I'm more hurt than I realize right now. Anyone been through this?

13replies

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13 replies

  • 7
    keen-sparrow-498

    Oh man, yes — this happened to me almost exactly. I got a call from the other driver's insurer before I even had my car towed. I was caught completely off guard and said way more than I should have about how I was 'feeling okay.' Weeks later I had a neck issue that turned out to be real, and I had to basically fight to walk back that first conversation. You're smart to be asking questions now.

  • 19
    swift-seal-108

    I'll be straight with you — calling quickly is absolutely a strategy. The sooner they reach you, the less time you've had to talk to anyone else, see a doctor, or understand what your claim might actually be worth. That friendliness you picked up on? That's trained. It's designed to get you comfortable and talking. Nothing you said is necessarily fatal to your claim, but going forward I'd be really careful about giving recorded statements or agreeing to anything over the phone without thinking it through first.

    • 8
      patient-traveler491

      Appreciate the detailed write-up. Saving this for later.

  • 15
    calm-raven-078

    Do NOT give them a recorded statement. If she calls back and asks if they can record the call, just say you're not comfortable with that right now. You have every right to decline. Adjusters are not on your side — they work for the company that is trying to minimize your payout. Friendly does not mean friendly.

    • 5
      quiet-finch-342

      Ugh, that sounds so stressful. The fact that you're already asking smart questions tells me you're going to be okay — just don't let them rush you into anything. Take care of yourself first.

  • 20
    keen-stoat-806

    To answer your questions directly: yes, it's very common for them to call that fast — sometimes within hours. You're generally not required to speak with the other driver's insurance at all. Your obligation is to cooperate with your own insurer.

    What you said matters in the sense that they may have notes on it, but one informal phone call before any formal claim is filed isn't usually the end of the world. The bigger thing I'd flag: please see a doctor before you do anything else. Some injuries — whiplash, soft tissue stuff — don't peak for 48-72 hours. Having a medical record that starts close to the accident date is really important if you end up needing to make any kind of injury claim.

    • 6
      tired-dreamer247

      Seconding this. The same approach worked for me last year.

    • 6
      weathered-overpass385

      Thank you both, this gave me the push I needed to make the call.

  • 20
    clever-finch-207

    Please go get checked out, even if you feel like it's 'just soreness.' I've seen so many people brush off post-accident symptoms and then show up weeks later with something that's gotten worse because it wasn't documented early. Adrenaline masks a lot in the first 24-48 hours. An urgent care visit is totally fine — you don't need to go to the ER. Just get it on record.

    • 4
      mellow-road-soul220

      Took me three tries but they finally budged. Don't give up.

    • 3
      calm-parent562

      Going through something similar right now. Did following up actually move the needle for you?

  • 13
    kind-bison-496

    Three things: 1) Stop taking calls from their adjuster until you know what you're dealing with medically. 2) Go to a doctor today or tomorrow. 3) Call your own insurance and let them know what's going on. You don't have to have all the answers right now — just stop giving the other side more information before you have any.

  • 11
    curious-crane-164

    Not legal advice, but I'll say this: the speed of that call is not a coincidence, and you have zero obligation to continue those conversations without representation or at least a clearer picture of your situation. One thing people don't realize is that anything you say — even casually — can be used to frame the narrative of your claim later. If your injuries turn out to be more significant than you currently think, that early 'I'm a little sore' conversation becomes something they reference. Again, not telling you what to do, just worth knowing.