Should You Talk to Insurance After a Sherman Oaks Car Accident?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

After a car accident in Sherman Oaks, the calls start coming quickly. Your own insurance company. The other driver's insurer. Sometimes multiple adjusters representing different parties. Each one sounds helpful and reasonable, but each is working to protect their employer's bottom line, not yours.

So should you talk to them? The short answer is: be very careful about what you say and to whom.

Your Own Insurance Company

You have a contractual duty to report accidents to your own insurance company promptly. Failure to report can jeopardize your own coverage, including uninsured motorist benefits, medical payments coverage, and collision coverage. When speaking with your own insurer:

• Report the accident and the basic facts: date, location, and vehicles involved
• Do not guess or speculate about fault
• Avoid recorded statements until you have spoken with an attorney
• Do not sign any releases

The Other Driver's Insurance Company

You have no obligation to speak with the at-fault driver's insurance company. Their adjuster may be friendly and sympathetic, but they are looking for information they can use to minimize your claim. Here is what can go wrong if you speak too freely:

• They may record your call and use your words against you later
• They may ask leading questions designed to suggest you share fault for the crash on Ventura Blvd, Van Nuys Blvd, or the 101
• They may offer a quick settlement that sounds good but is far less than your case is worth
• They may try to get you to commit to a description of your injuries before you fully understand your medical situation

What to Do When the Other Driver's Insurer Calls

Be polite but firm. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party's insurance company before you hire an attorney. A simple response: "I am currently consulting with an attorney and will have them contact you." Once you hire a Sherman Oaks car accident lawyer, all communication with the other insurer goes through your attorney.

Special Situations in Sherman Oaks

Some crashes create additional complications:

• If CHP responded to a crash on the 101 or 405, both your insurer and the other driver's insurer will request the CHP report. This shapes the early narrative of who was at fault.
• If LAPD Van Nuys Division responded, a different report format applies. Your attorney will know how to work with both agencies' documentation.
• If the crash happened near Westfield Fashion Square, Van Nuys Blvd, or another commercial area, private surveillance cameras may have captured the crash. Your attorney can request that footage before it is lost.

Accepting a Quick Settlement Offer

Insurance companies sometimes offer fast settlements, especially when liability is clear. These offers are almost always far below the true value of your case. Once you sign a release, you cannot come back for more money even if your injuries worsen or you incur additional medical bills at Sherman Oaks Hospital. Never accept a settlement without consulting an attorney first.

For guidance on how to handle insurance contact after your accident, reach out to L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks. Our consultations are free, confidential, and carry no obligation to hire us.