The Dos and Don’ts of Talking to An Insurance Adjuster After Your Automobile Accident
If you have been in an automobile accident, you should expect a call from the other party’s insurance company. This is especially true when it is clear you are not the “at-fault” driver.
These are the do’s and don’ts of what you should – and should not – say during this conversation.
Do – Make an effort to be polite. Regardless of whether or not you answer a question asked by the adjuster, keep a positive attitude and remain calm and polite. Establishing a positive relationship with the insurance adjuster can only be an advantage for you. This can make you seem more trustworthy and your claim more credible, which can lead to a quicker settlement. It is appropriate to verify with the adjuster the parties, location, and vehicles involved in the accident.
Don’t – Agree to make a statement. There’s a good chance that the insurance adjuster will ask you to provide a “statement” outlining your account of the accident. Even if you aren’t explicitly asked to make one, some adjusters will engage you in casual conversation only in an attempt to make you inadvertently disclose facts that can be used against you. Don’t fall into this trap. While remaining polite, it is appropriate to tell the adjuster that you won’t be discussing the details of the accident at this time.
Do – Record information about who you are talking to. As soon as you get on the phone, ask for and write down the name, title, company, company address, and phone number of the adjuster you are speaking with. When the call ends, make sure that you immediately record as many details of the conversation that you can remember while it is still fresh in your memory.
Don’t – Give the adjuster too much information. In this first discussion, you can voluntarily provide or confirm your name, address, phone number, and place of employment. If asked, you can confirm that you have been injured but – very important – do not include details beyond this. In addition to the fact that at this point the extent of your injuries may not even be apparent, you have to protect your ability to recover in any future claim and a large part of this is allowing an experienced automobile accident attorney to present information regarding your injuries at an appropriate time. The automobile accident attorneys of the Pendas Law Firm have extensive experience presenting evidence in a way that maximizes a claim.
Do – Wait to accept a settlement offer until you speak with an experienced automobile accident attorney. After being injured and dealing with recovery from your injuries, it can be tempting to accept an offer made by the adjuster during this first conversation. When you’re facing mounting medical bills, even an extremely low offer can seem like a lot. However, any offer made by an adjuster during this first conversation is probably much lower than what your claim is actually worth. And while you may think that holding off on a settlement means your claim would go on for years, our attorneys assert that simple car accident cases can reach settlement in as little as four months. For this reason, you should never accept an offer until you have spoken with an experienced automobile accident attorney to ensure that you recover all – not some – of the compensation you are entitled to.
Don’t – Hesitate to Contact an Experienced Automobile Accident Attorney Today.
The Orlando automobile accident attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are experienced in helping people like you recover the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami,Tampa, Jacksonville, Daytona and Bradenton areas.
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