Insurance companies investigate car accidents by gathering statements, reviewing evidence, and often launching their own inquiries. Sometimes, they’ll even hire private investigators. Their goal is to determine who is at fault, assess the value of the damages, and limit how much they have to pay.
For injury victims, this process can be confusing and intimidating, especially when insurers prioritize profits over people. That’s why working with a knowledgeable Long Island car accident lawyer is often the best way to protect your rights during an insurance investigation.
A qualified legal team can guide you through the process, ensure you don’t say anything that harms your claim, and build a strong case backed by evidence and professional support.
What Do Insurance Companies Do After a Car Accident?
Once an accident is reported, the insurance company will begin an internal investigation. This happens whether you’re filing a claim with your own insurer (first-party claim) or with the at-fault driver’s insurer (third-party claim). These investigations can begin within hours of the crash.
The process usually involves:
- Requesting statements from all drivers and passengers
- Reviewing police reports, accident scene photos, and property damage
- Contacting witnesses to get independent accounts
- Analyzing medical records related to injuries
- Inspecting vehicles or obtaining repair estimates
Their adjusters are trained to look for inconsistencies or anything that could reduce liability. That includes prior injuries, gaps in treatment, or conflicting statements. In some cases, especially where large claims are involved, the insurer may also retain a private investigator after a car accident to surveil the injured party.
How Do Insurance Companies Find Out About Accidents?
You might wonder how your insurer finds out about an accident — especially if you weren’t the one to report it. The truth is, they have multiple channels to receive this information.
Here’s how insurance companies typically find out about accidents:
- You or the other driver reports the crash to initiate a claim.
- Police accident reports are shared with insurers and state databases.
- Hospital billing departments notify insurance carriers to obtain coverage authorization.
- DMV reports, which are required for certain accident types in New York.
- Witnesses or passengers may provide statements that prompt follow-up.
In New York State, Vehicle and Traffic Law § 605 requires drivers to file an accident report within 10 days if someone is injured or if there is over $1,000 in property damage. This official report is often the first tool an insurance adjuster will review.
Can Insurance Companies Use Private Investigators?
Yes, and it happens more often than most people realize. If an insurance adjuster believes your claim is exaggerated or fraudulent, they may assign a private investigator after a car accident to observe your daily activity.
Surveillance can include:
- Video recordings outside your home or workplace
- Monitoring social media for posts that contradict injury claims
- Photographing you performing activities you’ve claimed to be unable to do
- Following you to medical appointments or public places
While this might sound invasive, these tactics are legal as long as the investigator stays on public property. That’s why we always advise our clients to be careful about what they post online and to follow medical advice closely. Even a single misleading photo can be used out of context to hurt your case.
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What Should You Say to an Insurance Adjuster?
One of the most important decisions you make after an accident is how you communicate with the insurance company. Adjusters are skilled at asking questions in ways that get you to minimize injuries or accept partial blame.
Our advice is simple:
- Be brief and factual when reporting the basics of the crash.
- Do not speculate about fault after a car accident.
- Avoid discussing injuries until a full medical diagnosis is available.
- Never give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first.
Once you hire our firm, we handle all communications on your behalf. This not only protects your rights but also relieves you from the stress of dealing with tactics designed to reduce the value of your claim.
What Happens If the Insurance Company Denies the Claim?
Unfortunately, it’s common for insurers to delay, dispute, or outright deny claims, even when liability seems clear. Some common reasons for denial include:
- Alleged policy exclusions or lapsed coverage
- Claims of contributory negligence (e.g., arguing you caused the crash)
- Inadequate proof of injury or treatment
- Failure to notify the insurer within the required time
When this happens, we step in immediately. Our team at Levine And Wiss thoroughly reviews denial letters, disputes inaccuracies, and gathers additional evidence to support your claim. If necessary, we prepare the case for litigation and take it to court. We are not intimidated by insurance companies, and they know that.
Why the Investigation Process Matters
For accident victims, the insurance company’s investigation can feel like an invasion of privacy. But for insurers, it’s a calculated step in protecting their bottom line. That’s why you need someone equally committed to protecting yours.
At Levine And Wiss, we counter these investigations with our own. We use:
- In–house investigators to examine crash sites and interview witnesses
- Expert medical and financial consultants to assess damages
- A litigation–ready approach that keeps pressure on the insurance company
This aggressive strategy has helped us recover hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients across New York. Whether it’s through negotiation or trial, we fight to ensure your story is heard — and compensated.
Let Us Protect Your Rights After a Crash
If you’re asking how insurance companies investigate car accidents, the answer is clear: they do it thoroughly and with their financial interests in mind. But you don’t have to face that process alone.
At Levine And Wiss, we’ve built our practice on standing up to insurance companies and holding them accountable. With over 100 years of combined experience, we know how to challenge biased investigations and get results for our clients.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights, protect your claim from the start, and guide you every step of the way — whether you’re worried about a private investigator or an unfair denial. Let us take it from here.
