Insurance companies will use your words against you after you’ve been in a car accident to try to pay you a lower settlement. You should tell them that you’re okay, say sorry, tell them your thoughts that may not be fact, or give them your medical history. A personal injury lawyer can deal with the insurance company for you and maximize your compensation.
It’s no secret that insurance companies are not above using sneaky and underhanded tactics to avoid paying people what they’re owed. This means that if you were in a car accident, there are certain things that you should avoid saying to protect your own best interests. A personal injury attorney can give you advice about what to say and not say. Multani Law Group can handle negotiations with the insurance company so that you don’t have to worry about it.
Things You Shouldn’t Say to the Insurance Company
1. Saying You’re Fine or Downplaying Your Injuries
It’s common for people in our society to downplay their own suffering so that others don’t worry about them. However, when talking to insurance companies is not the time to do so. Insurance employees will often frame asking you if you’re alright as concern, but they’re really trying to catch you saying something they can use against you. If you tell the insurance company that you’re fine, they will use that to argue that you weren’t injured in the accident, or that injuries you have aren’t related to the accident.
One reason that people say that they’re fine after being in a car accident is that their adrenaline is masking their symptoms. A traumatic situation such as a car accident can put you into fight-or-flight or shock, which may cover up pain and other injury symptoms. Even if you feel “fine” a few hours after the accident, you could have a condition that rears its head in the coming days, like whiplash or concussion.
2. Apologizing
It’s a habit for many people to be people pleasers and want to avoid conflict, which may make them apologize frequently. However, in the case of a car accident, this can do more harm than good. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, anything that sounds like an apology to the insurance company may be taken as an admission of guilt. Insurance companies will try to pin any blame they can on you, so never make apologetic statements. The insurance company will try to argue that you are at-fault for the accident, and therefore the damages are your responsibility. Let your lawyer handle things, and don’t make any offhanded comments.
3. Statements that Include “I Think” or “Maybe”
You should only make statements to insurance companies that you 100% know are fact, and not speculation. Insurance adjusters LOVE when victims make speculations, so make sure that you don’t say anything that’s a guess. Some examples are that you shouldn’t: guess about whether the other driver was distracted, guess about how serious your injuries are, guess the speed you were going, etcetera.
If you don’t know the answer to something, firmly say that you don’t have that information. If evidence later goes against your statements, then the insurance company will use that to attack your credibility. Even if you have the best of intentions, saying things that you aren’t sure of can hurt you later.
4. Medical Information
You should not try to describe your injuries to the insurance company. Leave the details to your lawyers or doctors. Speculation about the severity or nature of your injuries, or giving details that end up being incorrect, can make your claim more difficult in the future. If you have not been evaluated by a doctor yet, say so and leave it at that. It’s better than assuming.
Insurance companies will also try to ask about your pre-existing conditions. Don’t reveal anything more than necessary. They could use knowledge of your pre-existing conditions to argue that your injuries are from that and not the accident. Make sure that you also don’t sign medical release forms, because then the insurance company could get access to all of your medical records. The insurance company will comb through your medical history to find anything they can use against you.
Although insurance adjusters will pretend to be just making friendly conversation, they are actually trying to trick you into accepting a lower claim. It may be tempting to accept their lowball claim to settle quickly, but having a lawyer help you can mean recovering thousands more. If you were injured in an accident, let Multani Law Group deal with the insurance company for you. Get in touch with us as soon as possible to schedule a case consultation. Let our experts fight for you!
FAQs:
1. Do I still need to be careful if the insurance adjuster I’m talking to is from my own insurance company?
Yes, you still need to be careful while cooperating with your own insurance company. It’s a smart idea to get legal advice before talking to them, because your own insurance company is also trying to pay you as little as possible.
2. What should I do if the insurance adjuster asks to record our phone call?
Insurance companies will try to get a recorded statement right away, but you are allowed to say no. The insurance adjuster will ask you leading questions to try and trick you into making recorded statements that will lower the amount you can recover in damages.
3. Is it okay to post about the accident on social media?
Insurance companies have resources to find social media accounts and go through them, so if you post anything about the accident, they can use it. Anything you say about the crash can be taken out of context by the insurance company to prove that you weren’t actually injured.
4. So, what can I say to insurance adjusters to protect my best interests?
In order to protect your claim, you have to be careful of everything that you say to the insurance adjuster. Only say basic, objective facts, and tell them that you want to wait for more details and for your medical treatment to conclude.
5. How can a car accident lawyer help me when facing an insurance company?
A good personal injury attorney will help you say the right things, will gather evidence and argue for your case, will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and will protect your rights.
Talk to a Washington Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, you do not have to figure out the process alone. Multani Law Group helps injured people understand their options, deal with insurance issues, and pursue compensation after serious car