If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, one of the first calls you will receive is from the other party’s insurance company. Unfortunately, most of these companies are driven by profits and have little interest in ensuring you are appropriately compensated for your injuries. Therefore, the adjuster you speak to will do everything possible to derail your claim. If you are not a personal injury attorney, you might not know what is or is not okay to say to the adjuster, which could lead to some serious and costly mistakes.
Below is a list of some statements you should always avoid making when speaking with an insurance adjuster:
- “In my opinion” or “I think” statements: Guessing an estimating is fine in casual conversation with your friends, but keep in mind that the insurance adjuster is not your friend. You should never try to guess an answer to a question. Instead, only state the facts and, if there is something you are unsure of, do not say anything at all. Otherwise, your answers might come back to haunt you and reduce the amount of compensation you are able to receive.
- “It was my fault” or “I am sorry” statements: Apologizing is something you should never do in the aftermath of an accident. Whether you are talking to the at-fault party immediately after the incident or to the insurance adjuster on the phone, saying that you are sorry or admitting fault is a surefire way to prevent yourself from securing the compensation you deserve. Even if you feel like you deserve some fault, there is no reason to jump to this conclusion at this time. Let everyone conduct their investigation and evaluate the facts before you accept responsibility.
- “I’m not hurt” statements: It is not uncommon for injuries to take time before they appear and many of them might not even be visible. After an accident, you might be so overwhelmed with adrenaline that the shock of it might even prevent you from experiencing any pain until the next day. This is why it is imperative to see a medical professional as soon as possible for an evaluation. Otherwise, you might not be aware of your injuries until it is too late. However, you should still avoid discussing your injuries with the insurance adjuster or signing a medical release.
- Recorded statements: Providing a recorded statement might seem like the right thing to do and the insurance adjuster might even try to make it seem as though you are obligated to acquiesce to this request. Under no circumstances are you required to give a recorded statement and, moreover, it is in your best interest that you decline to give one. Whatever you say can be taken out of context and used against you, so protect yourself and never agree to give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster.
Before you speak with an insurance adjuster, seek the advice of a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney.
PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN TULSA
If you were injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another party, you need a skilled legal advocate on your side to fight on your behalf. At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, our team of personal injury attorneys in Tulsa are dedicated to representing those who have been wrongfully injured and will do everything possible to ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Get started on your personal injury case today and reach out to our law firm at 918-492-7674 to request your free initial case evaluation. You will not owe us any legal fees if we cannot win your case.