Tips For Your First Call With The Insurance Company After A Car Accident

If you suffer injuries in a car accident or another traumatic event, you are likely going to need to go through an insurance company in order to get compensation for your injuries. While these insurance adjusters may sound sympathetic or friendly when you’re talking with them on the phone, know that they aren’t your friend. They are trying to limit their liability, which will directly influence the award amount you’re entitled to receive.

If you have to talk to the other party’s insurance company, you need to know what to say and what to avoid in order to put yourself in the best position to win your claim. In today’s blog, we share some tips for talking with an insurance adjuster following your car accident or personal injury.

Talking With An Insurance Adjuster After Your Accident

Here are some ways to talk with the insurance adjuster and protect your claim in the wake of an injury.

Stay calm – You may be frustrated with your injury or your vehicle damage after a car accident, but it’s important to stay calm when talking with the insurance agent. The insurance adjuster is more likely to take your word and believe your version of events if you are calm and polite, whereas being aggressive and confrontational can cause your case to get flagged for review. Don’t take your frustrations out on them.

Document the Details – When talking with an insurance agent, make sure you keep a record of the details of the conversation. Ask the agent to identify themselves and ask if they have an agent number. Record when you talked with them and the nature of your conversation. This will allow you to reference details of the conversation or tell your lawyer or the judge exactly who you spoke to in regards to your claim.

The Basic Details – Until you’ve spoken with your attorney, anything you say to an insurance adjuster should be limited in nature in regards to the accident. Over-explaining or going into too much detail only makes it easier for the insurance company to limit their fault. Stick to the basics, like when and where the accident occurred, what type of accident happened, and the contact information of any people involved in the accident or who witnessed the accident. Saying something as simple as “I was struck from behind by another vehicle at a stop sign at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Street at 1:15 p.m. on Monday” will suffice. You can also inform them that your lawyer will be sending correspondence to share further details of the accident, and you can give them your lawyer’s contact information if they have any further questions.

Don’t Talk About Your Injuries – Don’t talk about your injuries, because they may try to underscore the true extent of your injuries. If they persist, simply say that you are still treating your injuries and that the full medical assessment will be provided in your correspondence from your lawyer.

Don’t Guess – Finally, if you don’t know something, don’t guess. Say that you have to double check with your lawyer and that you’ll provide the answer at a later date. Even if you accidentally give a wrong answer, it can tank your case, so never guess when it comes to dates or details about your case. If you’re unsure about anything, just tell the adjuster that you need to consult with your lawyer in order to ensure accuracy, and you will provide details in written form.

If you can do all these things, and you consult with a lawyer throughout the process, we’re confident you will put yourself in the best position to win your claim. For more information, or for an expert resource to assist with your case, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today.