Dealing with an insurance company after a car accident can be stressful, especially when the adjuster is trying to minimize the value of your claim. As an accident victim, it’s important to be careful with the information you provide and seek guidance from a personal injury lawyer who can manage the claims process on your behalf. In this article, we provide guidelines for answering questions from an insurance company to protect the value of your claim.
What to do if an Insurance Company Calls Me?
You are not required to speak with the other driver’s insurance company if they call. You can refer them to your lawyer.
If you do decide to speak with the insurance company, be cautious. The insurance company’s goal is to minimize the value of your claim. The adjuster is not trying to protect you or give you a settlement that is fair. He or she is likely trying to get information to use against you.
Guidelines for Answering Questions from an Insurance Company
- Avoid commenting on your injuries: Inform the adjuster that you are receiving medical treatment, or that your attorney will provide updates as needed.
- Only answer the questions asked: Do not volunteer information.
- Do not agree to have your statement recorded: A recorded statement may be used against you and may be an incomplete account of the accident and your injuries.
- Stick to the facts: Avoid giving an opinion about anything.
- Write down the adjuster’s name and information for future reference.
- Do not guess answers: If you do not know the answer to a question, simply say so.
- Take notes during the conversation: Keep track of the questions and answers you provide.
- Be honest: Do not lie or exaggerate.
Tactics Insurers May Use to Devalue Your Claim
Insurance adjusters may use various tactics to try to devalue your claim, such as:
Asking for a Recorded Statement
The adjuster may claim that a recorded statement will speed up the process, but this statement may be used against you.
For example, evidence could be collected later that contradicts what you say in a recorded statement, hurting your credibility. A recorded statement may also be an incomplete account of the accident and your injuries. Unfortunately, the value of your claim may be limited by this inaccurate account.
Asking You to Sign a Medical Release Authorization
The insurance adjuster may convince you to sign a medical release form to gain access to your medical records. However, the document you sign may provide for the release of medical records that are not relevant to the accident. The insurance company may use this to deny your claim based on a preexisting condition.
Trying to Convince You That a Lawyer is Not Necessary
The insurance adjuster may try to get you to talk to him or her without consulting with a lawyer. He or she may also urge you not to hire a lawyer.
However, there are many benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer, in fact, personal injury victims who decide to hire a lawyer often receive more compensation than those who do not.
Roden Law – Your Car Accident Attorneys
If you have been contacted by an insurance company after a car accident, you do not have to deal with them alone. Seek guidance from a personal injury lawyer who can handle all communication with insurance companies and work to negotiate a fair settlement for your damages. Contact the licensed lawyers at Roden Law to schedule a free case review. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we charge nothing unless we recover compensation for your claim.