Itโs only natural to seek out a support system after being in a car accident that wasnโt your fault. You might assume that given the accident wasnโt your fault, your insurance companyโs adjusters would be on your side.
While insurance companies are there to offer financial protection, they are also in the business of making money. Theyโll often do all they can to avoid paying out or paying out as little as possible. With that in mind, it can be crucial to mind what you say to protect yourself and your potential personal injury claim. Here are just a few of the many things you may want to avoid telling your car insurance adjuster:
You Havenโt Hired a Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer can be among the last things on your mind after being involved in a collision that resulted in injuries and vehicle damage. Even if you intend to do so so you can navigate the many Florida car insurance laws, donโt tell your insurance adjuster that you havenโt yet sought legal representation.
They may see you as more vulnerable when they know you havenโt had a lawyer offering advice on what to say and do. As a result, they may be able to obtain information from you that can potentially harm your case.
You Were At Fault
Countless legal articles discuss the importance of not admitting fault at the scene of an accident. Those articles are correct. You should never tell an insurance adjuster that you believe you were at fault for an accident, even if you think you are.
The average car accident can be complicated, with many factors influencing the outcome. Itโs up to law officials to determine the accidentโs cause. If you were to share information with your insurance adjuster that makes it look like youโre at fault, you may not receive the compensation you deserve.
The Extent of Your Injuries
Determining the extent of injuries immediately after a car accident can be challenging. Adrenaline can change how we respond to physical pain, meaning some people with excruciating injuries may not feel their true effects until after the adrenaline wears off.
As a result, it can be important not to discuss your injuries with your insurance adjuster. That includes talking about whether theyโre severe or not severe. Instead, receive medical treatment from a trained healthcare provider immediately after an accident. They can run tests and perform diagnostics to understand the extent of your injuries. This information can then form part of your personal injury claim for compensation.
Assumptions About What Happened
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. You donโt always know what caused them or led to them until law enforcement has completed their investigations. Until that happens, and until you have legal representation, refrain from talking to your insurance adjuster about what you believe happened at the accident scene.
You should never speculate on the damage, the cause, who was to blame, and other crash factors. Insurance companies can receive all the information they need at a later date, from police reports and medical records. As much as it might seem like insurance companies are on your side, they rarely are. The less you say to your adjusters, the easier it might be for you and your legal team to fight for the compensation and outcome you deserve.