Recently Injured? Know These Tips For Talking To An Insurance Adjuster
If you were recently involved in an accident that resulted in an injury, you'll eventually be contacted by an insurance adjuster to discuss what happened. Here are some tips to follow when you talk to the insurance adjuster so that you do not put yourself in a bad position.
Do Not Admit Fault
It may go without saying that you should not admit fault when involved in an accident, but be aware that there are many ways that you can accidentally admit fault. For example, if you were involved in a car accident on a specific road that the insurance adjuster is aware of, you may be asked how fast you were driving at the time. If you accidentally say a speed that is higher than the posted speed limit, even if you are recalling your speed incorrectly, you could be admitting partial fault for the accident. You need to be very careful with what you say because you do not want to say something that can be used against you that is not true.
Do Not Give Recorded Statements
When you are contacted by an insurance adjuster they are going to ask you to make a recorded statement about the accident and your injuries. You should avoid doing so when possible, and leave it to your attorney to make statements on your behalf. This is another situation where you can forget to tell information that is crucial to your case, and making a statement that doesn't include all the information can come across as you making stuff up later.
A good example is if the insurance adjuster asks about your injuries. You may only discuss the major ones and ignore all of the minor problems. Unfortunately, those minor injuries can turn into bigger problems down the road. You do not want a statement to be used against you where the insurance adjuster can claim you had an injury that did not exist when you made your recorded statement.
Do Not Accept The First Settlement Offer
Another tactic used by an insurance adjuster is to make you an initial offer and claim that it is the final offer. Many people feel pressured to accept the offer because they believe that the adjuster is being truthful about the final offer when it could not be further from the truth. Consult with a lawyer to determine how much your case is worth, and then decide if the offer being made is worth accepting.
For more information, contact an auto accident attorney.
