Dealing with insurance adjusters after your accident can be confusing and frustrating. When you are injured and trying to recover, it can be especially overwhelming. Insurance adjusters have one goal: to save the insurance company money. They can use whatever you say against you to fit their bottom line.
A personal injury lawyer is familiar with their tactics and can speak to them on your behalf, all while protecting your rights throughout the claims process.
Do Not Admit Fault for the Accident
After an accident, avoid making any statements that could imply you were at fault. You may feel inclined to apologize or make concessions to make others feel better, but this could harm your case since it comes off as admitting fault. Instead, only state the facts.
Do not agree to give a recorded statement until you talk to your lawyer. They can help you craft a statement that protects your legal right to compensation.
Avoid Speculation About Fault
While you should not admit fault to the adjuster, you should be equally cautious about accusing others. If another party is at fault, the facts of the accident will point to the ones responsible. Emotional or accusatory testimony can harm your credibility and negatively affect your case.
Do Not Disclose Your Current or Prior Medical Conditions
The insurance adjuster may ask how you are feeling or whether you are injured. Even if you feel fine at the time, avoid giving the adjuster any information about your physical or mental state. They can use even simple statements like “I’m OK” to imply that your injuries do not require compensation for medical assistance.
In addition, the insurance adjuster may use your prior medical history as an excuse to reduce your claim. For instance, they may indicate that some or all of your injury is preexisting and, therefore, not covered by the accident claim.
Instead, say nothing about your health and seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to the adrenaline in your system. If you begin to feel pain or discomfort within the days or weeks following the accident, visit your primary care physician or the hospital.
Do Not Release Your Medical Records
The insurance claims adjuster will likely ask for a copy of your medical records to proceed with the claim. While they may need certain medical documents to verify the extent and severity of your injuries, they may ask for more medical information than they need.
Speak with your injury attorney before you sign any releases for medical records. They can help you protect your privacy.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Insurance adjusters will sometimes observe claimants to see whether they are truly as injured as they say. To avoid any questioning from them, follow all of your doctor’s orders. Be sure to attend all doctor’s appointments and physical therapy sessions as advised. Be honest with your doctor about your pain, discomfort, and mobility issues associated with the accident injury, so they can treat them fully.
Be Wary of Lowball Settlement Offers
Sometimes, insurance adjusters will contact you right away with a lowball settlement offer. These offers rarely cover the full extent of the damages associated with your injury. Instead, they are designed to appease you in the hopes that you will not take the claim any further.
Lowball offers are especially dangerous when you require extended medical care. They often come with a liability release or another agreement that prevents you from pursuing additional damages. Rather than accepting the initial settlement right away, review the agreement with your attorney to determine whether it will cover the full extent of your losses.
Do Not Be Afraid to Negotiate With the Insurance Adjuster
Since the insurance adjuster’s goal is to reduce your settlement as much as possible, you are unlikely to receive a fair initial settlement offer. No matter how aggressively the insurance adjuster acts, you do not have to sign off on a settlement you do not agree with.
Negotiations with insurance adjusters can be stressful, so you could benefit from working with an attorney familiar with injury claims like yours.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Handle the Insurance Adjusters
Whether you suffered an injury in a car accident or during a fall on someone else’s property, you deserve compensation for the losses you sustained due to another person’s behavior. A personal injury attorney with our firm can help you negotiate a fair settlement with insurance adjusters.
If you need to file an insurance claim for an accident due to someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior, get help from Shulman & Hill today. Call 866.880.0645 for a free consultation with one of our team members. We can help you understand your legal rights and advise how to deal with insurance adjusters after your accident.
