Dealing with a personal injury case is complex without the right legal advice and support, which is why it’s important to get a personal injury attorney no matter your circumstance. Throughout your personal injury case, you will need to speak to several legal professionals, including an insurance adjuster.
Below we look at how to deal with insurance adjusters in a personal injury case, so you know the right things to say and do to receive the compensation you deserve.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Straight Away
The best way to deal with an insurance adjuster during a personal injury case is through the expert help and support of a personal injury attorney. The sooner you hire an attorney, the easier it’ll be for them to build a case and get you the correct compensation, rather than the compensation that the insurance adjuster will offer you.
There are many ways that what you say and do following an accident could harm your chances of a good settlement claim. With a personal injury attorney by your side, you have no need to worry.
Understand the Power of Your Words
What you say during your personal injury case can be used against you, which is why you should always be careful what you say and how you say it. Insurance adjusters will take recorded statements, which can be used as proof that you accepted a settlement offer or that you accepted partial blame.
Never speak to an insurance adjuster without the advice of an attorney, as they will inform you of what to say, or whether you need to provide a statement at all. Be wary of any estimated offers or early settlement figures, as these are often used as a ploy to get vulnerable folks to agree to a payout before they are truly aware of the damages and costs of the accident themselves.
Injuries sustained from drunk driving accidents, for instance, may not surface for weeks after the initial accident. If you have already said yes to an offer which has been recorded by the insurance adjuster, you will not be able to claim further medical bills.
If you do need to give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, always be truthful and concise, and don’t guess information if you don’t know it.
Adjusters Are Not on Your Side
Unlike lawyers, an insurance adjuster is not on your side, even if they sound like they are. At the end of the day, an insurance adjuster’s job is to close a claim as quickly as possible, for as little money as possible. They are there to save insurance companies money; not to support you or get you the compensation you truly deserve.
For people who have never been involved in a personal injury case, it’s easy to fall into the trap that an adjuster is on their side. When an adjuster states that the insurance company has accepted liability or responsibility for your claim, this doesn’t mean they will give you a fair settlement offer. It is best to put your trust into a personal injury accident attorney, not an insurance adjuster.
Avoiding Settlement Traps
Whether you have been involved in a car accident or truck accident, you should never allow yourself to feel pressured to accept a settlement offer. Refusing an offer does not mean you will lose out on compensation and quick settlement offers do not make your life easier. The earlier you accept an offer, the more chance you have of accepting an unreasonable offer.
Never accept a settlement until you understand the full extent of your injuries. An insurance company won’t pay for ongoing medical bills, only ones that have been paid or settled. Before considering a settlement offer, make sure you have healed and have been signed off by your doctor.
Never Volunteer Information to an Adjuster
Some insurance adjusters act like your friend, attempting to make you trip up or say something that they can use against you during the claim. Only discuss relevant facts about the situation, avoiding any information on your background or prior claims and injuries.
Insurance adjusters are there to settle a claim quickly, not for your sake. Be careful with what you say, never volunteer information, and remember that the adjuster is not on your side. Here at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm, we can help you deal with insurance adjusters during your personal injury case. For a free consultation, get in touch with one of our team who will be happy to help.
Visit our offices at any of the following addresses:
- Fort Smith – 122 North 11th St., Fort Smith, AW 72901
- Fayetteville – 509 E Millsap Rd., Suite 102, Fayetteville, AR 72703
- Rogers – 211 North Second St. Rogers, AR 72756
- Jonesboro – 3000 Browns Lane, Jonesboro, AR 72401
- Little Rock – 10809 Executive Center Drive, Suite 111, Little Rock, AR 72211
Call now for a free consultation on (800) 671-4100.