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Keep These Things In Mind While Talking To An Insurance Adjuster

Law Blog

In a typical car accident claim, the insurance adjuster plays a huge role in determining how fast your claim is settled and how much it is settled for. It's important to know how to talk to the adjuster so that you don't end up shooting yourself in the foot as far as your claim in concerned. Here are three things you should always remember when talking to an adjuster:

Don't Let the Adjuster Record Your Conversation

The adjuster will probably ask you for a recorded statement with the explanation that they will use it in case they forget about something. On the surface, this may not seem like such a bad idea because adjusters are human beings, and human beings have a fickle memory. However, many injury attorneys advise against recorded statements, and with good reason.

For one, the adjuster is skilled in these types of conversations; they are more experienced than you. Therefore, they can easily get you to say something that can be used against you later. Even if the adjuster doesn't purposefully trip you up, your tongue can slip and make you say something that paints you (and by extension your claim) in a bad light. For example, you may unwittingly reveal that your car maintenance schedules aren't exactly as per the manufacturer recommendations, which can be misconstrued to mean that your lack of proper maintenance led to an accident. Considering such potential mistakes, it makes sense to wait until talking to an attorney before giving a recorded statement.

Don't Downplay Your Injuries

Secondly, you should remember to explain your injuries exactly as they occurred, seem, and feel. Don't hold anything back; some people downplay their injuries because they don't want to be seen as "cry babies." Don't call a cut on the leg as a scratch or a lower back pain as discomfort. Doing that minimizes your injuries, which also minimizes your claim since your claim's value is directly proportional to the severity of your injuries.

Choose Your Words Carefully

Lastly, you also need to choose your words carefully because the adjuster will be looking for loopholes or red flags they can use to minimalize your injuries and claim. Therefore, from the moment you greet the adjuster to the moment you say goodbye, stick to words that cannot be misinterpreted and lessen your claim. For example, don't say you are "doing fine" when the adjuster greets you and asks how you are. Don't say you will be fine in a bit or that you expect to get back to work soon. Those things may be taken to mean that your injuries aren't very serious and you expect to get well soon)

Talk to your lawyer, someone like Eric J. Moore Company, Attorneys At Law, for more information. 

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25 April 2017