If you’ve been in an auto accident, an insurance adjuster might call and ask you for a recorded statement. When that happens, you might be asking yourself questions like, “Do I have to talk to this person?” and “Should I talk to this person?”
In both cases, the answer is no. While you should be polite, it’s almost never in your best interest to share a lot of information with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Instead, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer for help with your claim.
Read on to learn more about insurance adjusters, their employers, and how to deal with them after a car crash.
How Do Insurance Companies Evaluate Accident Claims?
After a car accident, you typically must file insurance claims with the relevant insurance companies. While many car accident claims only involve one insurer, others are more complicated.
For example, after a car accident, you might have claims involving:
- The at-fault driver’s or drivers’ insurance policies
- Your personal insurance protection (PIP) or MedPay policy
- Your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UI/UIM) policy
- Workers’ compensation
It’s important to identify these claims as quickly as possible. Typically, there are strict filing and notice deadlines for car accident and personal injury claims. If you don’t file a claim or lawsuit within the correct period of time, you’ll lose any chance to receive compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Once you file a claim, each insurance company will investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident. Typically, the insurance company will collect and review evidence, including:
- Accident and crash reports
- Claim forms
- Information about your work and lost wages
- Medical records and bills
- Witness statements
Based upon its review of your evidence, the insurance company will either approve or deny your claim. If the insurance company denies your accident claim, you should immediately contact Crosley Law for help.
How Insurance Adjusters Use Victims’ Statements to Deny Car Accident Claims
While many accident victims try to handle their insurance claims on their own, doing so typically isn’t in your best interest. The insurance adjuster might seem pleasant, but he or she is not your friend. An insurance adjuster’s job is to protect the interests of its for-profit employer and cut its costs. If you give the insurance adjuster any grounds they can use to question the validity of your claim, he or she will deny the claim.
During the statement, the adjuster will ask questions about your accident, your injuries, and other issues. Later, if you make statements that contradict your recorded statement, even in minor ways that seem insignificant, the insurance company will use it to try and discredit you.
Unfortunately, it’s surprisingly easy to make inconsistent statements after a traumatic crash. After your accident, you might be in severe pain and on large doses of medications that affect your ability to think clearly. And, as time passes, your memory of the accident might fade. Or, the adjuster might encourage you to speculate about the accident, the extent of your injuries, or other issues. If you fall for the insurance adjuster’s tactics, you might seriously weaken your case.
This is why insurance adjusters and the companies that employ them love recorded statements from injured victims, especially when the victim is alone and unrepresented. These statements simply serve as extra ammunition the insurance company can use as they try to deny the victim’s claim.
When you work with an experienced car accident attorney at Crosley Law, the insurance company can no longer contact you directly. Instead, we’ll oversee every aspect of your claim: responding to insurance company questions, handling paperwork and filing deadlines, and demanding fair compensation for your injuries.
When in Doubt, Contact an Experienced San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer
There is no rule requiring you to talk to a representative from the other party’s insurance company. If you have an injury claim, you can and should refuse to speak with an adjuster from the other side until you consult with an attorney. And the more serious your injury claim, the more seriously you should take this advice.
If an adjuster from your own insurance company wants to speak with you, they’re usually there to help you. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you have sustained a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence, whether in a car accident or another type of incident, your best course of action is to first call Crosley Law Firm right away before talking to anyone from any insurance company.
Crosley Law: Fighting for San Antonio Car Accident Victims
Crosley Law Firm represents victims who have been hurt in serious accidents involving cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles. If you or a loved one has questions about your car accident claim, contact the team at Crosley Law Firm by completing our online form or calling us at 210-529-3000. One of our experienced lawyers will get in touch with you as quickly as possible. We offer a no-fee policy, so there’s no risk to contacting us today.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
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Crosley Law Firm, PC is a professional corporation of trial lawyers focused on representing individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injuries or wrongful death. If you’ve been injured, fill out the form for a free consultation, or call 210-LAW-3000.