After a car crash, dealing with insurance adjusters can be one of the most stressful parts of the process. What you say to them can significantly impact your claim, and making the wrong statement could hurt your chances of receiving fair compensation.
In this blog post, we will guide you through what to say—and more importantly, what not to say—when speaking with insurance adjusters.
With over thirty years of experience helping car crash victims and their families obtain compensation for their injuries, The Fitch Law Firm is ready to secure the financial redress you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation if you were involved in a car accident that you did not cause, and our Columbus Car Accident lawyers will evaluate your case. We can handle communications with insurance companies, protect your rights, and provide expert legal representation to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
The CDC estimates the cost of treating nonfatal injuries in an emergency department is about $5,800. For inpatient care, they estimated the medical costs to be around $52,250.
You should not be left with the financial burden of medical bills for an accident you did not cause. An experienced attorney can help relieve this financial burden while you focus on healing.
What Will Insurance Adjusters Ask After an Accident?
Questions that may appear to be friendly or casual could be an attempt to lower your claim. In order to know what to say and what not to say to an insurance adjuster, it helps to be prepared for what they might ask.
- How are you feeling?
This is a common question to ask during a conversation, however an insurance adjuster could use your response against you. If you reply with, “I feel okay,” or “I’m fine,” the adjuster might note that your injuries are not severe and use that to lower your claim.
It is recommended that you tell the adjuster you are still being medically evaluated, and it is too soon to state your condition. It is better to relate your current condition to ongoing treatment instead of describing a general overview of how you feel.
- How severe are your injuries?
If an insurance adjuster asks about your injuries, it can be helpful to have relevant medical documentation on hand to provide specific responses.
It is important to be honest but leave no room for speculation about the severity or long-term impact of your injuries. Along with being straightforward about your injuries, mention any ongoing treatment and previous medical care you have received.
- Do you think you could have done anything to prevent/avoid the accident?
Insurance adjusters ask this question to get you to admit partial fault for the accident. Make sure to only describe the accident factually, avoid inferring what you could have done differently. If you are unsure of any details, tell the adjuster you are unsure rather than theorizing what may have happened.
- Can you describe the accident?
This is one of the most common questions asked by insurance adjusters, as they need an account of what happened to begin processing the claim.
Writing down a timeline of events for the accident can help you remain as factual as possible. Avoid theorizing what caused the accident or who was at fault.
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What Not to Say to Insurance Adjusters
Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to pay you as little as possible after a car accident. This means anything you say will be held against you, even if it is taken incorrectly or misinterpreted.
Here are several things you should avoid saying to insurance companies when they reach out to you following a car accident:
- Don’t Admit Fault or Liability
Even if you feel bad, don’t apologize, or say anything that can be taken as an apology. This could be misinterpreted to prove that you were at fault, or somewhat at fault, and significantly weaken your case.
2.Never Discuss Your Injuries or Medical Conditions
It is common to sustain injuries from a serious car accident, which makes it crucial to avoid discussing them with an insurance company. Your compensation is heavily based on the severity of damage and injuries caused by the accident, so it is crucial not to provide an insurance company with information about your injuries that could cause them to believe they are not severe.
Just as important, never share your medical records with insurance companies with consulting an attorney. Insurance companies will try to use your medical records in any way possible to lower your settlement.
3.Avoid Speculating About the Accident
When talking to the insurance company, don’t take any guesses as to what happened or who was at fault. If you are unsure of how to answer a question, tell them that. Any information you give an insurance company they will try to use to lower your settlement, so give them as little information as possible.
4.Limit Sharing Personal Information
Try to avoid telling an insurer anything about your personal life, including your financial situation, any travel plans, or social media activity. Any details given to an insurance company can be used to lower the amount you are compensated for.
5.Avoid Giving Any Recorded or Written Statements
You are not legally required to provide any recorded or written statements to an insurance company, so avoid agreeing to a recorded statement without consulting an attorney first. A recorded or written statement can be used against you by taking certain information out of context or securing an untrue version of the accident’s events before you have all the information.
6.Don’t Settle Too Quickly
Insurance companies will always try to get you to settle for the lowest possible amount. Even your own insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible to protect their best interest. Resist accepting the first offer because it will most likely be too low, and you cannot ask for more money later once it is accepted.
Should I Contact My Insurance Company After an Accident?
It is important to notify your insurance company after an accident so you can begin filing a claim. It is common for insurance companies to require filing in a timely manner, or you will lose your chance to be compensated. However, consulting a lawyer first can help you prepare for what to say and what not to say to ensure the highest possible settlement.
Contact your insurance company after you speak to an attorney to start the claim process. The insurer will inform you on what evidence you need to gather, including details about damages, injuries, and the involvement of other drivers. An attorney can help you gather this evidence to strengthen your case.
To avoid any complications, it is best to reach out to your insurance company before they contact you. Many insurers require you to report an accident and failing to do so could jeopardize your ability to be compensated for any pain and suffering sustained from the accident.
What to Do After an Accident to Strengthen Your Case
There are several things you can do to increase your chances of fairly settling with an insurance company including:
- Seek medical attention
Going to a hospital or medical office to treat any injuries sustained from the accident will not only create documentation of the injuries and cost of treatment, but it will also protect your health.
2.Keep records of everything
This includes taking photos of any injuries and damage, saving all medical records related to the accident, noting the names of any witnesses or those involved, and keeping track of all expenses related to the accident.
3.Contact an attorney
Communicating with insurance companies and going through the claim process can be difficult, especially after a serious car accident. A lawyer can take the pressure off filing an insurance claim and help you secure fair compensation.
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Talk to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Today
Contact a Columbus Car Accident lawyer today if you are unsure how to proceed after a car accident. Our dedicated team will work to analyze your case and determine all that we can do to help you recuperate.
We are prepared to communicate with insurers on your behalf, organize the evidence of your case, and protect your rights during this overwhelming time.
Insurance companies have teams of people working to get you the lowest possible settlement, and you deserve to have a highly experienced attorney fighting for you.
Contact The Fitch Law Firm at (614)-953-6072 or our website for a free consultation and let us handle the complicated world of insurance adjusters for you.
