In most cases, you should avoid discussing your injury claim with the other party’s insurance adjuster until you speak with a car accident lawyer in Santa Maria. Anything you say can be used to limit or deny your claim. If the at-fault driver’s adjuster calls, politely decline to discuss the accident or your injuries.
Whose Side Is the Insurance Adjuster Really On?
Insurance adjusters are often friendly and sympathetic, which can make it easy to open up. However, the adjuster works for the insurance company and aims to settle your claim for as little money as possible. Even when the insurer acknowledges that its policyholder caused the accident, the adjuster may still question the severity of your injuries, the need for treatment, or how much blame you bear.
Common Tactics Adjusters Use to Minimize Injury Payouts
Adjusters are trained to collect information that benefits the insurer and strengthens its case for paying you less. Recognizing their strategies early can help you protect your claim. Common tactics include:
- Calling within days of the accident, before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Offering a quick settlement that fails to account for future medical care or lost income
- Asking you to sign a broad medical authorization that gives the insurer access to your entire medical history
- Implying that you share responsibility for the accident, then using any agreement or apology on your part to justify a lower payout
- Delaying the process so that growing medical bills and lost wages pressure you into accepting a smaller offer
Why You Should Think Twice Before Giving a Recorded Statement
An adjuster from the at-fault driver’s insurance company may ask to record your account of the accident. You’re under no obligation to provide one, and declining is usually the safest choice.
How Having a Lawyer Changes Your Conversations with the Insurance Company
When you talk to the insurance adjuster before hiring a lawyer, you face these tactics alone. You risk saying something that weakens your claim or accepting a settlement before you know the full cost of your injuries. Once you sign a release, you can’t seek more compensation, even if your condition worsens.
Once you hire a personal injury attorney, your lawyer can handle all communication with the insurer, removing the risk of saying something that could hurt your case. Your attorney can gather evidence, document the full cost of your injuries, and respond to low offers with a demand backed by medical records and wage documentation. Insurers also know a lawyer is prepared to file a lawsuit if negotiations stall, which often leads to more serious settlement discussions.
Let Rodriguez & Associates Handle the Insurance Company for You
The days after an accident should be spent on your recovery, not fielding calls from insurance companies. At Rodriguez & Associates, we handle every conversation with the insurance company so you never have to face an adjuster’s questions alone. Our Santa Maria personal injury attorneys are prepared to hold the at-fault party accountable, whether through negotiation or in court. Before you return that adjuster’s call, contact our personal injury lawyers to discuss your case.