- Car Accidents
If you’re seeking any form of compensation following a personal injury, chances are you are already talking to an insurance adjuster. If you have not, it may only be a matter of time before that happens. Therefore, knowing what to say is essential as it could affect the outcome of your case.
With that said, it is important that you hire a Carrollton personal injury lawyer if you would like to get some damages for the injuries you suffered. If you’re concerned about the cost, you should not be. Most personal injury lawyers only charge you if they win. That way, they are properly motivated to give their best to your case. This article defines who an insurance adjuster is and shows some things to not say to one.
Who Is an Insurance Adjuster?
Also called a claims adjuster, an insurance adjuster investigates insurance claims to determine if an insurance company should pay for a liability. In addition, they also recommend how much the insurance company should pay. Insurance adjusters could either be employed by an insurance company or work as freelancers available for hire.
After an insurance company has received a request to pay for liability, they have an insurance adjuster look at the claim to determine if they should do so. To do this, the insurance adjuster thoroughly investigates the case, interviewing witnesses and reviewing documents. This helps them ensure that there is no insurance fraud.
Since insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, their goal includes making sure the insurance company pays as little as possible. In addition, they also ensure that claims are settled quickly. As you can imagine, these goals often make them difficult to work with. However, if you decide to seek compensation for a personal injury, you will have to encounter them.
What Not to Say to an Insurance Adjuster
By now, you should have a clear understanding of what an insurance adjuster does and why. However, it’s also important to remember that they could and would use your words against you. Therefore, knowing what to say or avoid could save you a lot of trouble. This section discusses some things to avoid mentioning to insurance adjusters.
Do Not Admit Guilt
Do not admit guilt to an insurance adjuster no matter what you do. You may feel guilty if someone was injured in the accident but do not admit responsibility until you have spoken to your lawyer. One of the things Your lawyer would do is investigate to ascertain what took place. The results of the investigation and your statement would help your lawyer advise you. New evidence could also reveal that the accident was not your fault in any way.
Do Not Sign Anything or Give a Recorded Statement
The insurance adjuster may ask you to make a written statement instead of speaking to them. This seems harmless, but if it is too soon after the accident, you may miss out on some details or include some details that would affect your case later. So instead, inform them that you would be sending a statement through your lawyer with all evidence attached.
Do Not Give Details About the Accident
After an accident, you may find that you are shocked. This is not the best time to recount the details of your accident, as you could mix things up. This could complicate things in the future. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters are likely to come after you at this point. When this happens, speak to your lawyer first, as they would help you see if you are in the right frame of mind to talk with an insurance adjuster.
Do Not Speak About Your Injuries
Insurance adjusters would almost always ask about your injuries. The purpose is to discover any pre-existing injury they could blame for your current condition. On the other hand, if they come to you early, you may downplay the severity of your injury due to the adrenaline you feel. Your best choice in such a situation would be to tell them that you are getting medical attention and that your lawyer would send a summary of your injuries.
Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Carrollton About Your Claim
If an insurance adjuster contacts you following your claim, we advise you not to speak to them until you have spoken to your lawyer. Doing this would ensure that you don’t say anything that could cost you your claim in the future. The personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of John B. Jackson are always available to help you and draw from years of experience in injury cases. So, reach out today to set up an appointment.
