How to Deal with an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident

Getting into a car accident can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. You’re likely dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, missed work, and medical bills piling up. The last thing you want to worry about is negotiating with insurance companies.

But successfully managing insurance adjusters is crucial after an accident. How you interact with them can make or break your claim. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts, not making sure you get fairly compensated.

Without proper preparation, accident victims can get taken advantage of by aggressive adjusters. Don’t let them jeopardize your right to recovery.

This guide covers key strategies for dealing with insurance adjusters after a car accident, including:

• Understanding the adjuster’s role
• Avoiding recorded statements
• Handling release of medical records
• Being wary of quick settlements
• Securing evidence to support your claim
• Working with a car accident lawyer

Follow these tips to level the playing field when negotiating your injury claim.

The Insurance Adjuster’s Role and Objectives

Before contacting the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you need to understand what motivates insurance adjusters. Their goal is to protect the financial interests of the insurer, not make sure you get fairly paid.

Some key objectives insurance adjusters have include:

• Minimizing total payouts by disputing injuries, treatments, and other damages
• Finding ways to reduce or deny your claim entirely
• Getting accident victims to accept lowball settlement offers quickly

They have various tactics to accomplish these goals, like:

• Rushing victims into recorded statements before consulting a lawyer
• Asking for blanket releases of medical records to dig up dirt
• Delaying negotiations to pressure victims into settling

Always view insurance adjusters as adversaries out to limit claims, not advocates there to help you. Don’t rely on their guidance about the settlement process.

Never Provide a Recorded Statement

Insurance adjusters often try to get recorded statements from accident victims as soon as possible. They may call you within days of the crash asking for one.

Politely decline providing a recorded statement if asked. Here’s why:

• You’re still processing the accident and may not recall all the details clearly yet.

• Statements are discoverable evidence that can be used against you later.

• Adjusters will try eliciting responses to hurt your claim and limit damages.

Wait until you’ve consulted with an attorney before providing any official statements. They can ensure the insurance company only gets information necessary for the claim.

Be Wary of Quick Settlement Offers

If liability seems clear-cut, the adjuster may offer a quick settlement hoping you’ll accept before assessing full damages. Don’t fall for this!

Settlements close the book on your right to recovery. You can’t come back for more compensation later if you discover additional medical costs, lost wages, etc.

Consult an attorney to valued your entire current and future claim before settling. Don’t let an adjuster pressure you into settling early for less than you deserve.

Review Medical Releases Carefully

The adjuster will likely request you sign a release allowing them access to your medical records. This helps verify treatment related to the accident injuries.

But be cautious of blanket releases granting access your entire medical history. Some adjusters use this to dig up any preexisting conditions to deny or reduce payouts.

Have an attorney review exactly what medical records are relevant before signing any release. Only allow access to providers involved in treating your accident injuries, not your full historical record.

Gather Evidence to Support Your Claim

To maximize your payout, you need to document all accident-related damages. Collect evidence like:

• Medical records, bills, and costs related to your injuries
• Pay stubs or documentation of missed work
• Written statements from eyewitnesses
• Photos of property damage and injuries
• Police reports related to the accident

The stronger your evidence, the harder it is for adjusters to lowball or deny your claim.

Hire an Auto Accident Attorney

Dealing directly with insurance adjusters puts accident victims at a disadvantage. Adjusters are experts at minimizing claims.

Contact an experienced car accident attorney before talking with any insurance companies. They’ll handle negotiations on your behalf to ensure you receive full and fair compensation.

An attorney can also help with critical steps like valuing your claim, documenting evidence, and reviewing any releases before signing. Don’t jeopardize your case by facing adjusters alone.

Mistakes to Avoid with Insurance Adjusters

Make sure you steer clear of these common missteps victims make that can ruin their injury claims:

Admitting Fault

Never acknowledge you were even partially at-fault, even if you want to take responsibility. Comparative negligence rules will reduce your damages if you accept any percentage of blame.

Agreeing to an Inspection Without Counsel

Adjusters may request to inspect your vehicle and take photos. Politely decline without first consulting your attorney, as anything discovered can be used against you.

Accepting Initial Offers

Don’t take the first offer. Adjusters typically start very low to anchor negotiations in their favor. Be patient.

Posting About the Accident Publicly

Social media posts can harm your claim if they contradict injuries claimed or appear inconsistent with suffering losses. Avoid posting anything related to the accident publicly.

Delaying Medical Treatment

Gaps between an accident and treatment can make injuries appear less serious and disputed by adjusters. Get evaluated quickly to start documenting issues.

Signing Medical or Expense Releases Without Review

As mentioned above, have your lawyer review exactly what records the adjuster is requesting before signing off on anything.

Providing Original Documents

Only supply copies of things like medical records and wage statements. Don’t let the adjuster walk off with originals you may need later.

Outcome: Get What You Rightfully Deserve

Being in a car accident is hard enough without having your claim denied or minimized by insurance companies. Learn your rights and understand adjuster motivations before contacting them.

Most importantly, hire an experienced auto accident law firm to level the playing field and handle negotiations on your behalf. With proper preparation and legal representation, you can get the full compensation amount you rightfully deserve after a crash. Don’t leave money on the table by facing adjusters alone.