After a crash, dealing with insurance adjusters is unavoidable when filing a claim. Their job is to investigate the accident and negotiate a settlement for the insurance company. They may seem helpful, but their loyalty is to their employer, not to you. Knowing what to say, what not to say, and when to involve auto accident attorneys in Columbus can protect your interests during these conversations.
The Adjuster’s Role and Tactics to Watch Out For
An adjuster’s main objective is to minimize the payout for the insurance company. They employ various tactics that could lead you to undermine your own case. They may ask for a recorded statement or press you to settle quickly, often before the full extent of your injuries and damages can be assessed. Early statements and agreements can inadvertently limit your compensation. Before responding to requests for information from an insurance adjuster, ask yourself: “Is providing this information actually necessary to resolve my claim?” Many times, the answer is no.
Information to Share
When speaking to an insurance adjuster, you are only required to share the basic facts about the wreck. This includes the three “W’s”—where the wreck happened, when it happened, and where your vehicle is located. Providing access to your vehicle allows the insurance company to evaluate the property damage you incurred, which is a necessary step in determining compensation for those specific damages.
Information to Avoid Sharing with the Insurance Adjuster
There are details that you should not discuss with an adjuster without legal representation. Because they will be looking for opportunities to deny you compensation, make sure to avoid these conversational pitfalls:
Don’t admit fault. While you may think this is obvious, it’s a lot easier than you may think to “admit” fault. Even saying something as simple as “I’m sorry” could be taken as admitting fault, while saying something like “they came out of nowhere” could imply you were driving distracted (and thus at fault).
Even if you think you may have been at least partially at fault, you don’t have the full story right now, and you don’t know how the crash occurred from the other driver’s perspective, or the perspective of witnesses. Wait until all evidence has been collected and reviewed.
This is even more important for wrecks in Alabama, where accepting even 1% of fault means you are disqualified from getting any compensation at all!
Stick to the facts. Don’t make guesses, estimates, or speculate about what happened. This includes guessing how fast the other driver was going! Again, you don’t have the full story, and if you speculate as if it were fact, and it later turns out not to be true, it could cast doubt on the rest of your statement and make it easier for the insurance company to deny your claim.
You do not need to give them any information about the accident besides the very basics: when it happened, where it happened, who was involved, and the identity of any witnesses.
Don’t be specific about your injuries. You will be asked if anyone was injured in the crash, and it’s fine to answer that question. In fact, if there’s even the slightest chance you were injured, absolutely don’t say, “there were no injuries.” However, don’t give any details about what type of injuries you may have or how badly you may have been injured. You won’t know that until after you’ve been diagnosed by a doctor.
In the days right after a wreck or fall, it is often impossible to know how serious your injuries are. New symptoms commonly appear over time. That is why doctors schedule follow-up visits weeks later. Recovery takes time, which is why back injury legal advice matters early.
If you tell the insurance company you have an injured shoulder, but you later find out you also have a neck injury, they will have a reason to deny that the neck injury happened in the crash since you didn’t mention it when you told them of the shoulder injury.
Furthermore, you should not make blanket statements like “I’m fine,” “I’m okay,” or “I’m better.” These may be a reflexive statement to make, since you survived, and things could have been worse! But they also imply that your injuries are not as severe as they actually are, or that you no longer need treatment when you actually do, and give the insurance company a reason to reduce the settlement amount.
The insurance company isn’t taking down your statement to help you; they are doing it to limit liability! A call to our office can help deal with those issues as they arise and as you worry about getting completely well again.
Don’t badmouth the other party. When you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, it’s normal to feel frustrated, or even angry at them. But voicing that anger could hurt your chances of compensation. This is because personal injury settlements are intended to help the victim, not to punish the perpetrator. If you make your anger too obvious, the insurance company could argue you want the money not because you actually need it, but only because you want retaliation.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A personal injury lawyer serves as your advocate and representative in discussions with the insurance company. They can advise you on the information that should be disclosed and handle all other communications to ensure your rights are protected. Lawyers are familiar with adjusters’ tactics and can negotiate effectively on your behalf, often securing a more substantial settlement.
The Pitfalls of Speaking Too Much Early On
Speaking extensively with an insurance adjuster without representation, especially in the days immediately following a wreck, can lead to problems in your case. Over-disclosure can give the insurance company material to dispute your claim or reduce your compensation. An experienced attorney can guide you on what information is necessary and what can and should be withheld until the proper time.
Dealing With The Insurance Company After A Wreck
It is important to approach conversations with insurance adjusters with caution, understanding their role in the process and their interests. And before you answer that call from the insurance company, consider reaching out to the Law Offices of Gary Bruce. Our team can provide the expertise and guidance you need when handling the adjuster, responding to questions, and ensuring that you do not settle for less than what your claim is truly worth. Contact us for more information or if you have any questions about representation and pursuing claims to seek full compensation for your losses.
For a free consultation to discuss your options with your case, contact us at the Law Offices of Gary Bruce, (706) 576-4279 and we will help you fight for what you deserve.
