What NOT to Say to an Insurance Adjuster After an Accident
After an accident, you should not say anything to make your case more difficult to prove or reduce the damages you might claim. The best thing to say to an adjuster is, “I’m working with Aaron Hicks on my claim and we’ll get back to you with details.” The Hicks Law Firm PC will discuss how loose lips can sink personal injury claims and how an Orange County personal injury lawyer Aaron Hicks can help you avoid this situation.
If you’re injured due to another’s negligence, seeking help from Orange County personal injury lawyer Aaron Hicks can help start the process of obtaining compensation for what you’ve endured. The Orange County personal injury Hicks Law Firm PC has helped thousands of clients, and we can help you too. Call 949-541-9944 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about your next steps.
Insurance Adjusters are Friendly. They are Not Your Friend
Insurance adjusters gather information, talk to those involved in accidents, and witness who may have seen anything. They analyze what they’ve learned, decide if the policyholder might be liable, determine what damages were caused by the accident, and try to reach an agreement with the claimant so the case won’t go to court. They’ll probably work with supervisors or attorneys to ensure they work according to company policies and guidelines.
It helps to be friendly if you’re a claims adjuster because getting people to talk and make decisions is an essential part of the job. You want people to open up and trust you. They want you to relax because you probably won’t say much if you’re tense.
Their job is also to resolve your claim at the least expense possible. As much as they want you to live a long and happy life, they also don’t want you to get more money from their employer than necessary.
It doesn’t mean they’re bad people, they’re just not there to make your life easier than they must. Most people in sales are very good, but many will try to get you to spend as much as possible. Most adjusters are also very good people, but they will try to convince you to accept as little money as possible.
During a conversation, you may be asked to write a statement about the accident or agree to have the phone conversation recorded. You should politely reject those requests.
Don’t Say Things That Make It More Difficult to Prove Your Case
You have the burden of proving the insured’s negligence caused the accident that led to your injuries. As you’ve heard in countless TV shows and movies where characters are arrested, you have a right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.
That’s true in criminal and civil law, so you don’t want to say things like the following:
- I was on the phone with my husband
- I was late for an appointment
- My dog was barking like crazy and I was trying to get her to calm down
- I only took my eyes off the road for a second
- I don’t know where that truck came from
- I don’t usually drive that fast
- I didn’t sleep much that night. I was so tired
- It was a tough day at work. I had a couple of drinks at a bar and headed home
- It was raining like crazy and I guess I should’ve replaced my wipers a long time ago
If you’re usually outgoing and talkative, this isn’t the time to chit-chat. The less you say the better. If you’re filing a claim, give the most basic bare-bones information. Then tell the adjuster you’re working with attorney Aaron Hicks and they’ll get more details later.
Don’t Say Things That Will Reduce the Value of Your Claim
Avoid saying anything that describes your health or condition in detail. The insurance company will have access to your medical records, so if you’ve been diagnosed with an injury, you can tell them that. Again, let the adjuster know more details will be coming later.
When we talk to others about our health, we commonly minimize what we’re going through. We don’t want to appear like we’re looking for sympathy. We don’t want to sound like we’re vulnerable. We want to appear strong and independent, so that’s how we might talk about an injury. It’s that kind of talk that gets personal injury plaintiffs in trouble.
Stay away from details and don’t say anything damaging, like the following:
- I’m feeling much better
- This really isn’t so bad
- I’ve been through worse
- I don’t know what my doctor is so concerned about
- This isn’t such a big deal
Both parties in these cases must be honest. If there’s information that’s damaging to your case, when the insurance asks about it, we must tell them about it unless there’s a legitimate reason not to disclose it.
But instead of doing so in an unstructured personal conversation over the phone, we can communicate it in a way and at a time that’s less harmful to your interests.
Contact Orange County Personal Injury Hicks Law Firm PC
The less you say to an insurance adjuster, and the more we say for you, the better. We know what insurance companies look for to justify denying your claim or reducing their offer to settle it. You don’t, so let us do the talking for you.
If you’re injured in an accident, call the Orange County personal injury law Hicks Law Firm PC. Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit may seem overwhelming. But with our help, you may obtain the fair compensation you deserve. Our law firm offers FREE initial consultations, so you can get the answers you need – when needed. Call 949-541-9944 or fill out our confidential contact form.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
