It’s common to assume that the insurance adjuster handling your claim after a car accident will be on your side. Unfortunately, that’s not really the case. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators and their job is to represent the insurance company, not you. In this blog post, we’ll cover the 3 things you should never say to an insurance adjuster.
Don’t Admit Fault
After a car accident, the last thing you want to do is admit fault. Although you may think you’re just conversing with an insurance adjuster, they may ask questions that lead you in a certain direction. Even if you state that you are only partly responsible for the accident, your claim could be drastically reduced or denied outright. Avoid phrases like the following: “I didn’t see the other car,” “I’m sorry,” or “It was my fault. I did ________.”
To maximize your potential compensation, it’s important to avoid saying anything that could implicate you.
Don’t Speculate
When describing what occurred during the accident, you must avoid talking about what you think happened and stick to the facts. Although you may think that the person was speeding and that’s why they ran into you, there’s no way to be sure. If you rear ended another car, you may think that the person suddenly slammed on their brakes for no apparent reason, but again, there’s no way to be sure. You don’t want to speculate, as this gives you an opportunity to accidentally blame yourself.
Don’t Downplay Your Injuries
When speaking about your injuries, it’s important to walk a fine line. If you downplay your injuries, you’re giving an insurance company the opportunity to downplay your settlement. On the other hand, you also don’t want to exaggerate your injuries as this could call your case’s legitimacy into question. You have the right to be compensated for your injuries, so it is always advised to seek professional medical advice – whether you believe that you’re injured or not.
One of the best things you can do after a car accident is to ask the insurance adjuster for his or her contact information. You can tell him/her that you are represented by a lawyer and they should direct further questions to them. Let our team help you navigate the long road after a crash so you can focus on healing. Reach out to us online or call us at 1-800-CALL-LEE.
