Coping with the aftermath of a significant car accident can be difficult. Many accident victims find themselves struggling to manage daily tasks because of their pain. The last thing someone wants to deal with when they are hurt and overwhelmed by bills is pushy insurance adjusters.
Although the initial demeanor of an adjuster may be friendly and disarming, these individuals are not your friends and do not have your best interests in mind. They work for a for-profit insurance company. These companies keep profits high and move through car accident claims quickly, keeping payouts as low as possible.
The car accident lawyers of JJ Legal want to help you with insurance adjusters after a car accident. Unfortunately, after your initial interaction, many adjusters adopt strong-arm tactics to intimidate vulnerable accident victims, bullying them into accepting an offer that may not cover all their financial losses.
Before you talk to an adjuster, you should be prepared so you can feel confident you are negotiating for the money you deserve.
What to Say to an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident
Talking to an insurance adjuster after a car accident can be overwhelming and intimidating. However, how you approach a conversation with an adjuster can significantly impact your car accident claim. When engaging with an insurance adjuster after a car accident, keep these tips in mind:
Stay polite
It can be difficult to keep a smile on your face when you are coping with significant and painful car accident injuries. However, do your best to stay courteous on the phone.
Ask who you are talking to
When talking to an insurance adjuster, ask them to identify themselves and the company they work for. Also, ask for their contact information with a direct call-back number or extension. You want to know who manages your claim and ensure scammers aren’t contacting you.
Don’t have to go into detail about the accident
You don’t have to go into detail about the car accident with an insurance adjuster. Don’t offer specifics about the accident, especially at the beginning. Many adjusters won’t hesitate to use your words against you. If you mention something early on and that statement differs from your recorded statements or other statements that you make, you could inadvertently jeopardize your claim. Be honest and straightforward, but avoid details and opinions. Also, don’t talk about how you feel or the extent of your injuries. Let your medical records speak for themselves.
Don’t feel pressured to answer everything
Adjusters sometimes use strong-arm tactics to get you to talk. Do not feel pressured into answering questions you don’t know the answer to. Mistakes and misstatements can come back to haunt you.
It’s okay to set boundaries
You have your recovery to focus on. Setting boundaries and not being at an insurance adjuster’s beck and call is okay. Outline specific days and times you are typically available to take their call. You do not have to manage phone calls day and night at their convenience and not yours. Your best bet is to refer the insurance adjuster to your attorney and let them handle all communication with the insurer.
Things to Avoid When Talking to Insurance Adjusters
Unfortunately, what you say to an insurance adjuster can and will be used against you to deny or diminish the value of your car accident claim. An insurance company isn’t concerned with making you whole again after an accident. They are concerned about maintaining profits and moving through car accident claims as quickly and efficiently as possible. Mistakes, inaccuracies, and omissions, even unintentionally, can jeopardize your claim, causing you to miss out on recovering compensation for your accident-related losses.
What can you do to protect yourself? Consider this list of things to avoid saying to an adjuster after a car accident:
Do not give an official statement
Many insurance adjusters ask for an official or recorded statement from you about the accident. It is rarely in your best interest to offer them this statement without the advice and assistance of a skilled car accident attorney. Your words can be used against you, especially if you forget details, make a mistake, or misstate what occurred. Let a knowledgeable attorney manage all communication between you and the insurer.
Do not offer opinions
Never offer your opinions when discussing your claim with an insurance adjuster. Be honest, factual, and straightforward. Never use statements like “I think” or “I’m pretty sure.”
Never apologize
Don’t apologize for anything to an insurance adjuster, and especially do not apologize about the car accident. Although you may consider your words as causal or even sympathetic, an adjuster can take the meaning of your words differently. An apology can be taken as an admission of guilt or fault for causing the collision. Fault plays a vital role in helping to establish the overall value of your claim, so admitting fault, even indirectly, can hurt your car accident claim.
Do not discuss the details of your condition
Never discuss the details of your diagnosis or medical condition with an insurance adjuster. If they ask you how you are feeling, do not say, “I’m fine” or “I’m okay.” Again, you are giving them ammunition to use against you. Even making a casual statement about how you feel can be used to discredit you and make your injuries seem insignificant, allowing an adjuster to offer you less in the way of compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Refer the adjuster to your lawyer.
Why You Need an Attorney to Help You Deal with an Insurance Adjuster
You may be scared to talk to an insurance adjuster after a car accident. Do you know how you scare an insurance adjuster? Let them know they need to communicate with your attorney. An attorney is an experienced, powerful ally who can navigate the car accident claim process on your behalf. At JJ Legal, we’ve recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Let us review your situation and outline your legal options for recovering maximum compensation.
Call us today at 312-200-2000 to arrange a free consultation.
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