It is generally smart to speak with a good personal injury attorney before you ever talk with an insurance adjuster. A good attorney can guide you through the claims process and protect your interests. Inevitably, though, some people will go it alone. Lest they be bent over the barrel by insurance adjusters who aim to settle claims quickly and cheaply, it’s important for them to know what not to say to adjusters.

Who Are Insurance Adjusters?

Insurance adjusters are employees of insurance companies who work to investigate an insurance claim, determine how much their company should pay, and then settle the claim. It is the job of the insurance adjuster to weaken your claim, so their company can reduce (perhaps to $0) the amount it pays you. While adjusters may seem considerate and kind, they want you to say the wrong thing, something that will decrease your financial recovery.

What You Should Be Wary of Saying to an Adjuster

In light of the insurance adjuster’s mission to reduce the amount their company must pay you, let’s look at three of the worst things you might say to the adjuster.

A demand for a specific dollar amount 

In demanding a specific dollar amount, too many accident victims markdown their case’s value. You may think you know exactly how much you have lost, but there is a substantial chance you’re missing something. Did you know, for example, that the law allows money to cover future medical costs. Further, would you know how to determine your future medical costs? What about pain and suffering? What about lost wages and benefits?

Something negative about your actions 

Adjusters are infamous for distorting the slightest bad thing, until it’s something that substantially weakens your case. You shouldn’t give an insurance adjuster any tools to deny your claim. Accordingly, you shouldn’t say something negative about your behavior.

Anything untruthful

Some people will be tempted to completely lie to the adjuster, while others will be tempted to distort the truth. The latter group might, for example, claim they remember a traffic light being green when they’re not 100% sure it was. However, when talking with an adjuster, you should absolutely avoid both distortions of the truth and outright lies. Both will significantly harm your case.

Get Legal Help

Big insurance companies did not become billion-dollar enterprises by being dumb or weak. They will act to protect and further their own interests. As an accident victim, you deserve a level playing field. Hiring a personal injury firm can help you get it.

At Akorli Law Group, we’re dedicated to supporting you. We offer a free legal consultation. Let’s talk today.