3 tips to help you handle an insurance adjuster after a car wreck

Dealing with the effects of a car accident can be time-consuming and stressful — at the very least, assuming you were only minimally hurt. You will have to get your car fixed, receive medical treatment for your injuries and probably miss at least a few days of work. Additionally, you will have to deal with your insurance company as well as the other driver’s.

You might think that dealing with the other driver’s insurance adjuster will be fairly simply since you were not at fault in the accident. The police report might even clearly state that you had no fault in the collision.

Unfortunately, insurance companies will go to the extreme to avoid paying a claim which means that you could have some difficulties when the insurance adjuster comes to assess the situation. Here are a few tips that can help you handle the situation.

Don’t claim to be fine

If the adjuster asks you if you suffered an injury in the wreck, do not claim to be fine, especially if you have not been to see the doctor yet. Even if you don’t feel like you are injured immediately after the accident, do not admit to being uninjured.

If you tell the insurer the day of the accident that you are uninjured but then start to show symptoms of an internal injury in the following days, the insurance company might deny your claim for medical expenses. In fact, do not discuss your medical condition at all. In the first hours and days after a collision, only talk to the insurer about the damage to your vehicle.

Don’t elaborate

When you do speak with the insurance adjuster, keep it simple. Do not talk about the details of the accident, what you were doing when the accident occurred or why you think the wreck happened. Instead, stick to the basics. Tell the adjuster where your vehicle is located so that they can inspect it for damage.

If you are already receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the accident, you can let the insurer know you are getting medical help. However, do not go into the details of your injuries. The adjuster will probably try to question you about certain details in an attempt to redirect at least partial responsibility to you. If this happens, you should direct the insurer to read the police report.

Don’t sign anything

The insurer might try to convince you to sign a medical records release form or rush you through the settlement process. Do not sign anything before you are absolutely ready. Let your attorney deal with the negotiations and provide the necessary medical records or documentation to the other driver’s insurance company.

If you have been the victim of a car accident, the above tips can help when the at-fault driver’s insurance company comes calling. Remember, the insurer is going to do everything possible to reduce the amount of money it has to pay you for your injuries and the damages to your vehicle.