The first phone call after a crash in Garland rarely comes from your own doctor. It usually comes from an insurance adjuster who sounds friendly, speaks quickly, and insists they just need a few details to “process the claim.” That call feels routine, even helpful. It is not. What you say in those first minutes can shape your entire case, especially if injuries evolve over time or liability is disputed. I have watched simple misstatements cost clients thousands and, in some cases, jeopardize their chance to recover at all.
If you are reading this after a collision on LBJ or Jupiter Road, or after a fall in a Garland parking lot, you already know how disorienting the aftermath feels. The phone rings, emails pile up, and bills start arriving before the bruises fade. This guide walks you through what matters most when the insurance company calls, how to protect yourself without sounding combative, and when a conversation should stop. Along the way, I will share the decisions I make when advising clients as a Garland Injury Lawyer and explain why a measured, consistent approach tends to produce better settlements.
Why the first call is more important than it sounds
Insurance companies record, summarize, and search for statements they can frame as admissions. Even polite, offhand comments become leverage. I have seen adjusters quote, out of context, a Garland Truck Accident Lawyer client’s attempt at courtesy: “I’m fine,” “I didn’t see the other car,” or “I might have been going a little fast.” Each line becomes a puzzle piece the defense will try to fit into a story about shared fault, minimal injury, or a preexisting condition. Texas follows modified comparative negligence. If a jury decides you were 51 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are less than 51 percent at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. A sentence offered to be polite, or a guess made under pressure, can affect that percentage.
There is a second reason the first call matters. Adjusters often try to secure a quick, low settlement before you understand the full scope of your injuries. Neck and back issues blossom in the days after a crash. Concussion symptoms show up late. If you accept a settlement early, you sign a release that ends the claim permanently. No second chance when the MRI later shows a herniation.
Who is calling, and what do they want?
Two types of adjusters typically call: your own insurer and the at-fault driver’s insurer. Your obligations differ.
Your insurer handles your personal injury protection (PIP), MedPay, collision, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, depending on your policy. In Texas, PIP is often included unless you reject it in writing. Cooperation is usually required, but that does not mean you must provide a recorded statement or sign open-ended authorizations. You can usually provide basic facts and documents without giving ammunition that can be used against you if a UM or UIM claim arises later.
The at-fault insurer has one job: minimize the payout. They will ask to record you, to get a written statement, and to access broad medical history, sometimes going back years. They will say it is routine. It is routine for them. It is not required of you. You can be respectful and firm while declining.
Ground rules for any conversation with an adjuster
Before you pick up, set your own rules. Use a calm voice. Slow the pace. Decide what you will and will not say. In my practice, I encourage clients to approach these calls with the same mindset they would bring to a deposition, just with fewer questions and a shorter time span. Never guess. Never fill silence with speculation. If you do not know, say you do not know. If you cannot recall, say you cannot recall yet.
It helps to keep a simple paper log near the phone. Write the date, time, who called, the company, and a brief note about what was discussed. If the adjuster misstates something later, your notes give you a record. Text messages and email confirmations also help. When you follow up in writing, keep it straightforward and brief: Thank you for your call. As discussed, I am not comfortable providing a recorded statement. I will forward basic claim information in writing.
What you can safely share, and what to hold back
The adjuster is entitled to some basics. They need to know who you are, the date and location of the crash, and the vehicles involved. You can confirm that a police report exists and give the report number if you have it. You can provide your insurance policy number to your own carrier and the claim number for future reference. That is the low risk information.
Where callers get into trouble is the narrative. “Tell me what happened” sounds harmless. But verbal timelines drift. Stress distorts memory. Without visual aids or notes, people compress moments or fill gaps with guesswork. If you decide to provide a basic description, keep it simple and factual: I was driving eastbound on Miller Road, traveling near the speed limit. The other vehicle entered the intersection on a red light and struck my driver’s side. I do not want to provide a recorded statement. I can answer basic questions in writing.
Medical details require even more caution. Early on, you may not know the full extent of your injuries. If you say you feel fine or only mention a sore neck, a later diagnosis of a torn labrum or nerve issues looks unexpected to the insurer. You do not need to list symptoms on the first call. You can say that you are seeking evaluation and that you will share medical records once you have a clearer picture. Never sign a blanket medical authorization that gives an insurer access to your entire history. A narrowly tailored release tied to relevant providers and dates is safer and usually adequate.
The recorded statement trap
A recorded statement is rarely in your best interest. Insurers claim it speeds up processing. What it really does is lock your words in time, before imaging, before specialist visits, and before you know the nuances of Texas fault rules. Adjusters are trained to ask compound or leading questions. They will normalize speed, then get you to agree to a range. They will suggest visibility was poor and watch to see if you accept that framing. They will ask about distractions in a way that includes lawful and harmless behavior, like adjusting the AC or glancing at a turn signal, as if it signals negligence.
When a client insists on giving a recorded statement for personal reasons, I insist on conditions: provide it only to your own insurer if required by your policy, schedule it for a later date when you can prepare, and have counsel present or on the line. Preparation means reviewing the police report, photographs, intersection layout, and any dashcam footage. Preparation also means rehearsing how to pause, ask for a question to be repeated, and keep answers tight.
Property damage versus bodily injury
Not all calls are equal. If the at-fault insurer only wants to appraise your vehicle or arrange a rental, there is little harm in cooperating to get the car assessed and moved. Separate that discussion from bodily injury. You can authorize a tow or schedule a photo inspection without discussing how you feel or how the collision occurred. Insurers often blend these topics to coax you into a statement you did not intend to give. Split them. If the adjuster pivots to injuries, say you will address property damage only and address medical issues later in writing, or through your Garland car accident lawyer.
Special issues unique to Garland and the surrounding area
Local roads and traffic patterns shape how crashes unfold. Intersections like Garland Road at Northwest Highway see heavy turning movements. Belt Line near industrial yards has blind spots created by parked trucks. Rain turns low spots into slick hazards. A local adjuster may know these patterns and try to assign fault through assumptions. Out-of-area adjusters often miss them and assume an idealized intersection layout. Either way, a Garland Accident Lawyer who has worked with cases across these corridors can help you frame your description with the right context. For example, the distance between lights on Saturn Road and LBJ can compress deceleration space, which matters when a rear-end collision is disputed.
If a commercial vehicle is involved, timing is everything. Companies cycle drivers and maintain electronic logging devices. Some telematics data only stays accessible for short periods unless preserved. An early spoliation letter from counsel can lock down evidence. Do not expect an insurer to volunteer that timeline.
Medical care and documentation that withstands scrutiny
Insurers scrutinize gaps. If you wait weeks to see a doctor, they argue your injuries came from something else. That does not mean you should rush to a clinic you do not trust, but it does mean you should get evaluated as soon as practical. Tell the provider you were in a motor vehicle collision or an injury event at a specific place and time. That simple phrase links your care to the incident for medical records. If you use urgent care first, schedule follow-up with a primary physician or specialist promptly.
Use plain language to describe symptoms. Avoid minimizing pain out of politeness. A doctor needs the truth to treat you properly. If pain disrupts sleep or work, say so. If you tried conservative measures like rest, ice, or over-the-counter medication, document what helped and what did not. If cost is a barrier, ask about letters of protection or clinics that work with injury patients. A seasoned Garland Injury Lawyer can point you to reputable providers and help avoid facilities that over-treat or overbill, which insurers attack as inflated.
Valuing the claim, and why patience pays
Adjusters like early settlements because they simplify math. If they can close your claim before an MRI or before physical therapy shows slow progress, they price the unknown as zero. Patients with whiplash often improve in six to eight weeks. Others learn at week nine that a disc injury needs injections or surgery. The difference between those paths can be tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs and lost wages.
A sound valuation builds over time and weighs medical evidence, work impact, property damage photos, repair estimates, and the practical realities of venue and jury tendencies. Garland sits in Dallas County, with juries that can be receptive to careful, well-documented injury claims but who also value credibility and consistency. That means your social media, day-to-day activities, and statements must align with your reported limitations. If you are in therapy for shoulder pain, save the kayaking trip for another season. Insurers monitor public posts. Give them nothing to distort.
Common tactics you might face on the phone
Adjusters rotate through a familiar playbook. One tactic is friendly urgency. “Let’s get this wrapped up so you can move on.” Another is the pseudo-legal explanation, laced with half-truths about comparative negligence. Some imply your damages are limited to out-of-pocket costs and minimize pain and suffering, when Texas law allows recovery for a broader range of losses in a negligence case. Others dangle a rental car as leverage for a recorded statement. You do not need to earn a basic rental by surrendering your rights. If liability is reasonably clear, they owe it. If they balk, your own policy might include rental coverage.
You may also hear the phrase preexisting condition. It is not a defense to everything. If a collision aggravates a preexisting condition, the at-fault party can still be responsible for the aggravation. That said, treatment patterns matter. When your records show consistent, credible complaints that escalate after the crash, it becomes much harder for an insurer to dismiss your pain as old news.
When to bring in a lawyer, and what that changes
People often call me after one or two adjuster conversations that went sideways. The adjuster was polite, but the written summary twisted their words. Or the quick offer sounded nice until the first hospital bill arrived. A Garland car accident lawyer changes the dynamic in several ways. First, the calls stop going to you, and start going to counsel. Second, evidence preservation letters go out. Third, the claim’s story is curated with supporting documents rather than half-remembered phone chats. Fourth, medical billing is channeled and organized to prevent miscoding and missed offsets.
Some clients worry that hiring counsel guarantees a lawsuit. It does not. Most cases settle pre-suit after a thorough demand package goes to the insurer. The package includes medical records and bills, photographs, property damage details, wage loss documentation if applicable, and a liability analysis that ties facts to Texas law. The adjuster evaluates risk, not just sympathy. Good lawyering presents risk cleanly.
Fees are typically contingency based. No recovery, no fee. That aligns incentives, but it also means a lawyer will be candid with you about the strengths and weaknesses of your case. If you were partly at fault, we talk about how that affects value. If surveillance or social media poses a risk, we address it early.
How to respond in the moment when your phone rings
Even with the best intentions, surprises happen. The adjuster catches you while you are in a grocery line or on a work break. You do not have to engage. You can say you are not available and ask them to email their contact information. If you answer and the conversation begins to drift, pull it back or end it politely. Your composure and clarity matter more than any one sentence. The goal is to avoid unforced errors until you have a plan.
Here is a short script you can adapt when you are caught off guard:
- Thank you for reaching out. I am not comfortable giving a recorded statement. I can provide basic claim information in writing. I am still being evaluated for my injuries and will share medical records once I have a clearer picture. Please send your questions and your mailing address by email. I will respond after I review them. For property damage, I am available to coordinate an inspection. Let’s keep injury questions separate. If I decide to proceed with counsel, future communications will go through my attorney.
Keep that list somewhere handy. It helps you hold boundaries without sounding combative.
What not to do, no matter how polite the adjuster seems
Do not guess at speeds, distances, or timing. Humans are terrible at estimating these under stress. If pressed, say you will not speculate. Do not accept fault or assign fault to anyone else on the spot. Fault is a legal conclusion drawn from facts, and facts take time to collect. Do not sign a general medical release or a broad employment authorization. Insurers often try to dip into years of records to blame injuries on old sports issues or a job you did ten years ago. Tailor any release in scope and time.
Avoid discussing prior accidents unless directly asked, and even then, give only basic facts and note that the records speak for themselves. Do not exaggerate or minimize. Adjusters like extremes because they are easy to disprove. Consistency wins.
Evidence you control that strengthens your hand
You control more evidence than you think. Photographs of the scene, close-ups of damage, and wide shots that capture lane markings and sight lines are powerful. Save dashcam video if you have it. Get names and contact information for witnesses. If you missed that at the scene, the police report may help. Request your own ER or urgent care records promptly and review them for accuracy. If they misstate the mechanism of injury or leave out key symptoms, ask for an amendment. Keep receipts for medications, braces, rideshares to appointments, and property damage not covered by insurance.
Write a brief timeline for yourself while events are fresh. It does not need to be literary. Date and time of crash, symptoms that first night, the first medical visit, what the doctor said, medications prescribed, therapy start dates, days missed from work and the reason. Small details fade. Your own notes will later anchor your memory when a deposition happens or when you review a settlement demand package.
How insurers evaluate your claim behind the scenes
Adjusters plug data into software that suggests settlement ranges. Colossus and similar tools weigh codes and keywords in medical records, duration of treatment, objective findings like MRI results, and your documented limitations. The adjuster’s supervisor has settlement authority caps that depend on perceived risk and venue. That means two things. First, clean documentation matters. Second, storytelling matters. When your records clearly describe mechanism of injury, consistent symptoms, and ordered treatment that escalates only when conservative care fails, the numbers tend to rise.
Defense counsel will later look for weak links. Gaps in care, missed appointments, inconsistent pain reports, or a sudden jump from no treatment to aggressive interventions without a doctor’s recommendation. A good Garland Accident Lawyer anticipates that review and addresses weaknesses before the insurer seizes them.
Timing the demand and negotiation
Do not rush a demand before you understand your medical endpoint. Maximum medical improvement is a term lawyers watch for, but it does not always mean you are pain free. It means you have stabilized enough that future care can be reasonably forecast. At that point, a demand letter can set out past medical charges, paid amounts, balances, lost wages or diminished earning capacity, and a narrative that connects the facts to the law. The letter should also address comparative fault head-on if there is a credible argument, and explain why the other driver’s choices were the primary cause.
Negotiation usually takes a few rounds. Early offers are low by design. A calm, evidence-driven approach outperforms outrage. When an adjuster cites a social media post, you need to know whether the post hurts or is easily explained. When they argue preexisting degeneration on imaging, your doctor’s narrative and prior baselines matter. Each counteroffer should teach the adjuster something new about the risk they face if the case proceeds.
If the case goes to suit
Most claims settle, but not all. If the number remains unreasonable, suit in Dallas County may reset the conversation. Discovery reveals more about the other driver’s history, texts, or substance use. Witnesses are pinned down. Your testimony, if you have prepared and maintained credibility, becomes an asset. The insurer now assigns defense counsel, and settlement authority can change. Litigation carries cost and time burdens, so the decision to file is specific to your case’s facts, your tolerance for delay, and the gap between the offer and fair value. A realistic assessment weighs strengths, weaknesses, and the track record of verdicts for similar injuries.
What a Garland Injury Lawyer actually does day to day on your claim
Clients often imagine long speeches in court. Most of the work is quieter. We gather records, scan for errors, and request corrections. We coordinate imaging and specialist consultations so injuries are properly evaluated. We calculate wage loss with employer letters and tax documents. We track liens, including health insurance subrogation and Medicare or Medicaid interests, so you are not surprised later. We prepare you for every conversation, from the adjuster’s call to a deposition. We build a narrative that aligns your story, medical evidence, and Texas law. At each step, we protect your voice while filtering out questions designed to twist it.
If you are searching for a Garland car accident lawyer or a broader Garland Injury Lawyer to cover other negligence cases, ask specific questions: How often do you take cases to trial? How do you handle medical liens? What is your approach to recorded statements? Vague answers are a red flag. You want someone who knows the roads you drive and the courts you might face.
A steady path forward
After a crash, the urge to fix everything quickly is human. Insurance adjusters count on it. Slowing down does not mean dragging your feet. It means setting boundaries, gathering facts, and choosing your words carefully. When the phone rings, you have options. You can answer, say little, and follow up in writing. You can route calls through counsel. You can separate vehicle logistics from injury issues. Most important, you can protect your claim’s value by resisting pressure to guess, speculate, or sign away privacy without reason.
If you feel overwhelmed, that is a signal to get help. A conversation with a Garland Accident Lawyer can clarify your rights and give you a plan that matches your situation. Whether you decide to hire counsel or handle the claim yourself, the same principles apply: be factual, be brief, be consistent, and do not let urgency outrun accuracy. Your recovery, both physical and financial, deserves that care.
Contact Us
Thompson Law
375 Cedar Sage Dr Suite 285, Garland, TX 75040, USA
Phone: (469) 772-9314