If you are involved in a car accident, you will have to file an insurance claim for any damage to your vehicle and injuries you sustained. You may come in contact with an insurance adjuster and be unsure of what to tell them. In order to increase your chances of collecting the fair and full compensation you may be entitled to, adhere to these five tips for dealing with an insurance adjuster.
1. Realize the insurance adjuster is not on your side.
If you speak to an insurance adjuster, you may find that they appear friendly or helpful. If this is the case, realize that they are doing this in order to discourage you from consulting a car accident lawyer. Their goal is to save the insurance company money, not to help you out.
2. Anything you say can be used against you.
After a car accident, an insurance adjuster may call you and ask you questions. When they call you, they are already aware of how your accident occurred and the nature of your injuries and damages. In addition, they know how to frame what happened in a way that is ideal for the insurance company they work for.
Since any answers or statements you provide may be used against you, it is wise to avoid speaking to them altogether. Allow an attorney to handle conversations with them on your behalf.
3. Avoid low-ball compensation traps.
As previously mentioned, insurance adjusters want to increase profits for the company they work for. Therefore, they may offer you a compensation amount that is far lower than what you deserve. They hope that you will accept their low-ball compensation and avoid negotiating for more money.
4. Visit a doctor immediately.
You can hurt your claim if you delay seeking medical treatment. Right after your accident, visit a doctor. Insurance adjusters can use the fact that you waited to see a doctor against you and make it more difficult for you to recover money.
5. Contact an experienced attorney.
After a car accident, contact an experienced car accident attorney. They can negotiate with the insurance company, help you fill out the appropriate paperwork, and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you may deserve. Remember, an insurance adjuster is not on your side. An attorney, however, has your best interests in mind.
Contact Our Hinsdale Car Accident Attorneys
Although insurance adjusters do not want you to contact an attorney, doing so can increase your chances of a favorable case outcome. If you have been injured in a car accident, we encourage you to contact our highly skilled DuPage County car accident lawyers. Call us today at 630-920-8855 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.bankrate.com/finance/jobs-careers/confessions-of-insurance-claims-adjuster.aspx