Tips on Talking to the Insurance Adjuster After a Car Crash

After a car accident, it is important to file an insurance claim as soon as possible. However, you have to be careful about what you say to the insurance adjuster. They are employed by the insurance company and are trained to use what you say against you to try to devalue your claim.

If you were injured in a car accident, it is important to seek help from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. He or she can deal with the adjuster on your behalf to defend your rights. The Maryland car accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl can discuss your rights in a free legal consultation.

Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters are often eager to talk to car accident victims so that they can gather information to use against you. They may twist information you give them to deny your claim or offer you a low settlement. However, they do not come right out and say this when they talk to you. They do not inform you of your legal rights and are not interested in protecting them.

Sneaky insurance adjusters often get this information by using tactics such as:

• Acting like your friend – The insurance adjuster may seem sympathetic. He or she may ask how you are doing and then wait for you to minimize the symptoms you are experiencing. He or she may act like a concerned friend only to get you comfortable so you will offer information he or she can ultimately use against you.
• Pushing for a recorded statement – The insurance adjuster will likely request that you provide a recorded statement, claiming that it is a routine request. However, anything included in this statement could later be used against you. It may be particularly damaging if your testimony in court is different than what you previously said in a recorded statement. The adjuster may try to make it look like you are lying.
• Requesting extensive medical records – While you might need to give the insurance company medical records so that it can pay for your medical expenses, the insurance adjuster may request that you sign an expansive medical authorization that gives it permission to collect medical records for many years before the accident. This tactic is often used to try to find some other work or personal accident to blame your injuries on so that your claim is denied.
• Making a quick settlement offer – You might appreciate a quick settlement offer. However, it is a common practice for an insurance adjuster to offer a fast settlement offer so that you accept the offer and sign the settlement agreement before a personal injury attorney has the chance to tell you what your claim is actually worth.

What to Say to the Adjuster

If you deal with an adjuster, it is important to know what to say – and not to say – to the adjuster:

• Do not admit fault – Do not admit fault to the adjuster or anyone else after the accident even if you think you were partly to blame. There may be factors that you are unaware of that caused or contributed to the accident. Keep in mind that the insurance adjuster is not your friend and is not looking out for your interests.
• Only discuss facts – Do not give an opinion about anything that you are not certain about. Instead, only state facts. You must answer questions honestly, but you should avoid trying to speculate on things you are unsure of.
• Do not discuss injuries – Avoid giving specific details about your injuries. You may not know the full extent of your injuries. You may not even know that you were injured at the time the insurance adjuster contacts you. Alternatively, you might leave out important details about your injuries.

Contact a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney

When an insurance adjuster is trying to contact you, it is often a sign that you need to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can protect your interests.

Our Maryland personal injury attorneys are experienced professionals with ample experience in negotiating fair settlement offers. We can handle communications with the insurance company. We can also take the lead in negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf.

Before talking to an insurance adjuster, contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation. We will not charge any costs or fees unless you are compensated.

Call 410-244-7005 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.