The Dos And Don’ts Of Speaking With An Auto Insurance Adjuster
March 9, 2020 in Blog
If you sustained injuries and damages in an automobile accident, you should be prepared to speak with one or more auto insurance adjusters about the accident. It is important to be cautious about what you say to adjusters because car accident victims often unwittingly say things to insurance adjusters about their accident and injuries that can later be used against them when pursuing compensation for injuries and damages.
If you have suffered injuries and damages in a car accident, we recommend that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your claim. An experienced attorney can help you avoid making mistakes in an insurance interview that could put you at a disadvantage and ultimately lead to a financial recovery that does not fully or fairly compensate you. See below for a list of dos and don’ts when it comes to speaking with insurance adjusters about your accident and injuries.
Don’t Think That The Adjuster Is On Your Side
The most important thing to remember when answering their questions is that insurance adjusters are never on your side; even an adjuster from your own insurance company is not on your side. Their goal is to limit the amount they pay on a claim to as little as possible.
Do Keep Your Conversation Limited And Think Twice About A Recorded Statement
Any recorded conversations with adjusters can be used against you in the future. If you agree to give a recorded statement, your statement will be preserved and cannot be changed after the fact. If you are represented by an attorney, you will only give a recorded statement with your attorney present.
Don’t Provide Too Many Injury Details
Adjusters often sound like they are concerned about your health when asking questions about your injuries. In reality, they are probably concerned with limiting their liability for personal injury compensation. It is best to say that you will let them know when your injury evaluation and diagnosis is complete.
Do Tell Adjusters If You Have Been To A Doctor Or Intend To Seek Medical Treatment
Again, you should not provide too many details, but you can tell insurance adjusters that you have already been to a doctor, or that you intend to seek medical treatment for your car accident injuries. If you do not get medical care for your injuries or you wait too long to see a doctor, insurance companies may use that as evidence that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
Don’t Be Pressured Into Accepting A Settlement Offer
Insurance companies are notorious for pressuring car accident injury victims into agreeing to a quick settlement. There is no reason that you should feel pressured into accepting a settlement based on an arbitrary deadline. It is important to know the full extent of your injuries before agreeing to a settlement, and car accident victims often do not experience injury symptoms until days or even weeks have passed after an accident.
Do Speak With An Attorney
An experienced NYC car accident attorney knows how insurance companies operate and how to protect your interests in a car accident claim. When you are trying to collect compensation from an insurance company that wants to limit the value of your claim, you need an experienced attorney advocating for your financial recovery.