You might want to tell the insurance adjuster everything in the hope that they can use this information to get you compensation as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters are often waiting for claimants to say just the wrong thing so that they may use it against them.
Before speaking to an insurance adjuster, talk to an attorney about things to avoid saying. The insurance adjuster may try to reduce compensation for your claim in any way they can, and you must be careful about what you say. Avoid saying anything that could be misconstrued as an admission of wrongdoing. Do not apologize for the accident or say that everything is okay. Even if these are just empty pleasantries, they may be used against you.
Call our Arkansas personal injury lawyers at (479) 316-0438 for a free, private case evaluation.
Things You Should Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster After Being Injured
While you should be honest with insurance adjusters about how you were injured and your damages, you should also be careful about what you say.
Avoid Making Apologies
People sometimes apologize after an accident, even if it was not their fault, as a way of being polite. You did not actually do anything wrong, and an apology is more of an empty pleasantry than anything, but that is not how an insurance adjuster might see things.
An apology may quickly be twisted into an admission of wrongdoing. Even if the insurance adjuster cannot use the apology to deny your claim, they might try to reduce the amount of compensation you get.
Do Not Minimize Your Injuries
Some people may say things to minimize their injuries, often out of habit. Saying things like “It’s really not that bad,” or just saying that “I’m okay,” could work against you.
Do not say anything that might minimize your injuries and damages. If your injuries are painful, say so. If the medical bills are more than you can afford, say so. Do not diminish your claims.
Do Not Say Anything That Could Be an Admission of Wrongdoing
Accidents can be confusing. You might believe that you did nothing to contribute to the accident, but this might not be accurate. It is common for people to contribute partially to their own injuries. While this fact alone might not cost you the entire insurance claim, contributory negligence may be used as an excuse to reduce your compensation.
Talk to an attorney about how you were injured before you try to explain things to an insurance adjuster.
Avoid Sounding Desperate
You might be in a very tough position right now, and you might need compensation as soon as possible. Do not convey this to the insurance adjuster.
While you should make sure that your claim is handled promptly, sounding desperate for compensation may lead the adjuster to prey upon your vulnerable state. They may offer a lower settlement, thinking you will accept anything.
Avoid Guesses or Estimation
When explaining the facts of your injuries to an insurance adjuster, avoid guessing at anything you are unsure of. Only explain what you know for sure, and do not explain anything until you have spoken to a lawyer.
Guessing at details can come back to haunt you if those details turn out to be important to your overall claim.
What Should You Say When Speaking to Insurance Adjusters After an Accident?
Our personal injury attorneys can prepare you for how to communicate with insurance adjusters so that you say everything you need to without accidentally saying something that might hinder your claim.
Stick to the Facts
Do not offer opinions about what you think happened. Explain only what you know to be certain. If the insurance adjuster asks for information you are unsure about, do not guess. Tell them you do not know and that you will get an attorney to help you figure it out.
For example, the insurance adjuster might ask you what you think the other driver in a car accident was doing at the time of the crash. If you do not know, do not guess. Say that you do not know. Stick only to the facts you know.
You Have Legal Representation
Make it clear from the start that you are not in this alone. Insurance adjusters often rely on injured customers being unrepresented, and they may try to prey upon your vulnerability and lack of knowledge about the insurance industry or insurance procedures.
In many cases, all communication with an insurance adjuster goes through the injured person’s lawyer. Insurance adjusters have a much harder time offering lowball settlements when lawyers are involved.
Reiterate the Policy Terms
Before contacting an insurance adjuster, always familiarize yourself with the insurance policy. Insurance policy terms can be confusing, and adjusters may rely on this confusion to get customers to accept lowball settlements.
If the insurance adjuster challenges the legitimacy of your claims, remind them of the policy terms. Use language lifted directly from the policy if possible. A policy is a contract, and the adjuster is legally obligated to abide by the policy terms, but it might be up to you to enforce those terms.
FAQs About What Not to Say to Insurance Adjusters After an Injury
What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster After Being Injured?
Avoid saying anything that might be misconstrued as an admission of guilt or wrongdoing. This includes making apologies for the accident. Also, avoid minimizing your injuries. Do not say everything is fine or that you are okay if everything is far from fine.
How Soon After an Accident Should You Speak to an Insurance Adjuster?
You should speak to an insurance adjuster as soon as possible after being injured, but you should talk to your own lawyer first. Your attorney should prep you on what to say and what not to say to maximize your compensation.
How Can You Prepare to Speak to an Insurance Adjuster After an Accident?
Prepare to speak with an insurance adjuster by hiring a lawyer. Your attorney should explain how to deal with insurance companies in a way that protects your legal interests. Also, review the policy terms. Knowing what is specified in the policy will help you make sure the insurance company abides by those terms.
What Should You Do if You Say the Wrong Thing to an Insurance Adjuster?
If you accidentally say something that is later used against you, avoid saying anything else until you have spoken to your lawyer. Your attorney should be prepared to step in and clarify your statements. If the insurance adjuster still wants to use your words against you, let your lawyer handle all communications from that point forward.
Request Help from Our Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Call our Fort Smith, AR personal injury lawyers at (479) 316-0438 for a free, private case evaluation.