How to Deal with the Insurance Company After an Accident
After an accident, opening a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company is usually the first step in pursuing compensation for your injuries.
However, be very careful with what you say and do to protect your best interests. Insurance companies actively seek information to use against you to reduce the value of your claim.
Below are several strategies for dealing with an insurance company following an accident. If you need help, please contact us today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
Be Careful What You Say to An Adjuster
You will be assigned an insurance adjuster who will work your claim. It is important to remember that the adjuster is not looking out for you. He or she is an agent of the insurance company, working to protect the insurance company’s best interest, which means lowering the amount of your settlement.
Saying the wrong thing when speaking with an adjuster can have a negative impact on your claim. Your claim could be denied or devalued due to your statements to an adjuster.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to help protect the value of your claim when working with an adjuster:
- Keep calm – It is easy to get frustrated or express anger about the accident and the injuries you sustained, but you need to remain calm when dealing with the insurance adjuster. Maintaining a good attitude with the adjuster may benefit you, getting your claim handled quickly or gaining the adjuster’s trust about elements that are difficult to prove in your claim.
- Stick to the basics – If you are asked to give a statement, stick to the facts and do not provide more detail than is absolutely necessary. Say where the accident occurred, when it happened and what vehicles were involved.
- Do not accept the adjuster’s first offer – Insurance companies want to settle your claim quickly and attempt to do so by quickly offering you a settlement. The insurance company is hoping that you will accept their first offer and not hire a lawyer who will likely disagree with the amount of the settlement. The value of this initial offer may not cover all the expenses you will encounter due to the accident.
Statements Not to Make
When talking to a representative of the at-fault party’s insurance company, there are a few things you should not say:
- Do not apologize for what occurred – Your apology may be misconstrued as you admitting fault for the accident.
- Avoid opinions – When talking with an insurance adjuster, never speculate or give your opinion as to what happened. Simply relay the facts of the situation, and if you do not know the answer to a question for sure, simply tell the adjuster you do not know.
- Do not give details of your injuries – Insurance adjusters will want to know the extent of your injuries. However, refrain from giving a detailed description. You may leave something out about your injury or discover an injury later on. A better determination of the severity of your injury can be made from your medical records.
What You Need to Know About the Value of Your Claim
There are many factors that must be considered to determine the fair value for a settlement that accounts for all your past, present and possible future expenses.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you communicate with the insurance company and ensure your claim is valued properly. Your attorney will consider the following to determine a fair value for your claim:
- All expenses related to medical treatment
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact Our Legal Team for Representation
If you have been injured in an accident, working with a skilled personal injury attorney may be in your best interest. Our Sacramento personal injury lawyers will work to protect your legal rights while maximizing compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Let us deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
Request a free, no obligation consultation today. There are no upfront fees and payment is only due if we recover compensation for you.
Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form now.
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