Accidents happen in a moment but change lives forever. Shortly thereafter, expect a call from an insurance adjuster. There are a few things to do and say and a few things to avoid at all costs, according to car accident injury lawyers in Carlisle.
An Insurance Adjuster’s Job
An insurance adjuster might be called a claims representative or an independent claims analyst, but they’re all doing the same job. If the insurance claim is for a fender-bender with limited damage to the vehicle and no personal injuries, everything will probably go fairly smoothly. However, when someone has been seriously injured, it can be an entirely different story.
The job of an insurance adjuster isn’t to make the accident victim whole and fix all of the problems caused by the accident. Whether the adjuster is an employee of the insurance company or works independently for a number of insurance companies, their paychecks still come from the insurance company. The insurance adjuster’s job is to make money for the insurance company by settling the claim for as little as possible.
The Two Numbers That an Insurance Adjuster Never Forgets
When an insurance adjuster is looking at a claim file, there are two very important dollar amounts.
* How much the adjuster thinks the claim is worth.
* The maximum amount that the insurance adjuster is allowed to pay, or the insurance adjuster’s “authority.”
If an insurance adjuster always pays the highest dollar possible, he or she should probably update their resume and check the help wanted ads.
How to Talk to an Insurance Adjuster
* Don’t agree to a recorded statement. There is no legal obligation to be recorded, and the adjuster cannot legally record the conversation without permission.
* Be polite. Give only basic contact information, but no accident details or personal information about your job, income, or injuries.
* Get the adjuster’s name, address, phone number, and the name of the insurance company.
* Take notes of the conversation.
* Write down a detailed accident account with witness information for later use.
* Don’t settle immediately as the first amount presented will be a lowball offer.
If you were seriously injured, talk to the experienced car accident injury lawyers in Carlisle at Handler Henning & Rosenberg LLP before agreeing to any settlement. Since 1922, this firm has been focused on helping seriously injured accident victims. Visit the website to request a free case evaluation.
