After being injured in an accident, you are likely to get a call from an insurance adjuster. He or she might seem friendly, even helpful, but it is imperative that you keep in mind that the insurance company is not your friend. In fact, the sole priority of this individual will be to ensure you receive little to no compensation for the accident you endured and the injuries you sustained. As such, you should be wary of what you say to the adjuster to protect your chances of receiving full compensation.
Here is what you need to know before you speak with the insurance adjuster:
- Obtain the adjuster’s contact information: Before you proceed further with any kind of conversation, make sure you ask for the adjuster’s name, phone number, email address, and who he or she is representing. It might seem like a simple and obvious step, but many forget to do it.
- Only provide basic personal information that is necessary for the claim: You do not need to give the insurance adjuster everything there is to know about you. In fact, you should stick to basic information, including your name, phone number, and address. Do not delve into details regarding your job, income, or other in-depth personal information.
- Do not provide a statement regarding the accident and how it happened: This is not the time to give a play-by-play on how the accident occurred. Instead, only provide basic facts about the accident, such as where it happened and when it happened. The adjuster will likely press on for more details and ask you repeatedly to provide a statement, but you must politely decline.
- Do not discuss your injury in great detail: You were injured, so the insurance adjuster is going to want to ask about it. However, it is important that you do not discuss it at this time, especially since you might not even know the full extent of your injury so early on. Oftentimes, it takes multiple tests and doctor visits to truly grasp how severe an injury is and what kind of recovery time you can expect, so discussing the state of your injuries at this time would not be inaccurate, but detrimental to your case. Instead, simply tell the adjuster that you are receiving care. It is not necessary to provide the name of your doctor or other healthcare providers.
- Remain calm and courteous while speaking to the adjuster: Being injured in an accident and having to field your way through the aftermath is undoubtedly frustrating, even upsetting, but it will not help to yell and berate the insurance adjuster. Be polite and calm while speaking with him and her and your claim might be handled more quickly.
- Do not be in a hurry to settle: You might receive an offer early on in your case, but the trouble with an early settlement is that they are often much too low to even begin to cover the losses you have suffered. Insurance companies make these lowball offers with the hope that your medical bills and damages are so great that you cannot refuse an offer that provides immediate financial relief. If you accept it, you will not be able to reopen your case if you are need of additional compensation.
Personal Injury Attorney in Phoenix
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you must obtain skilled and experienced representation as soon as possible. At the Rafi Law Group, we will thoroughly investigate your case, ensure that your injuries are well documented, and stand up to the insurance companies. Let us fight on your behalf for the compensation you justly deserve.
Contact our firm today at (623) 300-1151 to schedule a free case review with an experienced member of our legal team.