As an accident victim, talking with your insurance adjuster before you have a legal representative is one of the biggest mistakes you can ever make.
What an insurance adjuster does is analyze accident claims to determine their legitimacy. Even though it’s not true, they assume a neutral position between an accident victim and the insurance company. They are always on the insurance company’s side and will make sure that the victim receives the least amount of compensation from their company. Therefore, before engaging with them, you should first discuss your case with a car accident attorney.
The following are the main reasons why, as a victim, you should not discuss your case with an insurance adjuster without a lawyer:
1. They always act friendly at the first meeting
An insurance adjuster will initially appear very friendly to gain your trust. They pretend to be helpful, patient, and concerned about your problems. It means that a survivor can easily be convinced into agreeing to something false or thinking that they are being offered a good settlement when it’s the exact opposite. The insurance adjusters often lie to clients and say that they are doing them a favor to save them from paying an injury lawyer. They try to make the client avoid a lawyer because they (the insurance adjuster) are aware that the attorney will know the exact cost of damages and injuries and that he will advocate for appropriate compensation for the client.
2. They will convince you to get it on record
The insurance company, through its adjuster, wants to record you (either in writing or on a phone call) to force you into one version of how the incident occurred and the seriousness of the injuries. You may not remember all the little details about the accident, and the more different the evidence is, the less it can be used. A personal injury lawyer has the skills to look for solid evidence for the case.
3. The insurance adjuster may record your conversation without your permission
Some laws legally allow companies to record clients’ discussions without their consent. Having a lawyer will help you avoid this because the company will take advantage of you, knowing that you may not be in the right mind to record a statement after an accident. The lawyer uses facts, not emotions, to paint a clear picture of the incident, your damages, and your injuries.
4. The company may offer a quick settlement to close the claim
Insurance adjusters are always either offering quick cash or trying to make you locked on the lowest settlement as fast as possible. They are aware of how a victim can get overwhelmed with lost salaries, medical costs, and other financial strains due to the accident. At the moment, you may be easily enticed by the little financial relief you get from them. The insurance adjuster will hide from you the fact that once you accept the money and sign, there’s nothing else you can do about your compensation. A personal lawyer will help you avoid such situations until you’ve won the case.
5. The insurance company will advise you against hiring a lawyer
The adjuster will convince you not to hire an attorney because they know you don’t understand the law. They know your lawyer will help you fight for what you deserve as compensation and nothing less. They will offer part of the settlement, for example, medical expenses, and leave out other damages that you may have incurred in the accident. Expert injury lawyers take a careful look at every detail of your injuries, including the future problems that could arise from the injuries you sustained.
Conclusion
Discussing with your insurance adjuster in the absence of a legal representative will impact your chances of getting the compensation you deserve as a car accident survivor. The adjuster always puts their company’s interests before yours. Having a personal injury lawyer ensures that your case is properly analyzed and your rights are protected.
