Share:

After you get into a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may choose to file a personal injury claim to recover damages for lost wages and medical expenses. During the claims process, you’ll talk to an adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company. This can be a tricky conversation with repercussions for your case, so it’s important to be careful.

How to Handle the Insurance Adjuster in a Personal Injury Claim

1. Don’t Admit Fault

Never admit fault for a car accident, either to the other driver or the insurance adjuster. This can cause your insurance settlement to go down or disappear entirely. Use neutral statements about what happened, and try not to talk to anyone too much until you’ve obtained a personal injury lawyer who can advise you regarding this conversation or speak on your behalf. Some adjusters will use leading statements to try to get you to take responsibility for an accident that wasn’t your fault.

2. Watch Out for Overly Friendly Adjusters

If you have a large claim pending, the insurance adjuster is likely to be quite nice to you. They might even act like your friend or seem sympathetic about your injuries. Of course, they might just be a nice person.

However, this is unlikely. It’s more often a ploy to get you to admit information about your health or the accident. Remember that the insurance adjuster is not your friend, be careful with your comments no matter how innocuous they may seem, and don’t participate in any conversations that aren’t related to your claim.

3. Read the Medical Record Release First

car accidentInsurance adjusters will often ask you for your medical records during their claims process. Read over this request when they send it, or better yet, have your lawyer check it over.

Sometimes, insurance adjusters will request your medical records from your whole life in an attempt to suggest you had preexisting conditions. Your lawyer will help you figure out what to do before you sign the release.

4. Get a Personal Injury Attorney

The most important step to winning an auto personal injury case is to hire a lawyer. This way, all communication with the insurance company can go through them, so you don’t have to worry about saying something wrong. In addition, your attorney can determine if the settlement related to your car accident is too low and fight for you until the very end.

 

Need help handling an insurance adjuster after your car accident? Call the personal injury attorneys at Gregory S. Young Co., L.P.A. These lawyers have been serving residents of Ohio and Kentucky since 1958. They’ll help you seek the maximum compensation for your injuries and make sure you’re able to focus on your recovery while they advocate on your behalf. Visit their website to learn more about hiring an auto accident lawyer. Call their Cincinnati location at (513) 721-1077 to request a free consultation at one of their 13 offices.

tracking