It’s no secret that insurance companies make it as hard as possible for car accident injury victims to get the money they deserve. They have teams of skilled professionals who will do whatever it takes to protect their employers’ bottom lines. If they have to twist a victim’s words or use other underhanded tactics, they’ll gladly do so.
That’s why you need an attorney who is just as skilled on your side. At Sand Law, our lawyers know all the tricks that insurers play. We also know how to defeat them. Our team has a long history of doing just that. If you want to schedule a free consultation, please call Sand Law at 651-291-7263 or contact us online.
Here are a few tips to help you deal with insurance company questions if you’ve suffered an injury in a car wreck that wasn’t your fault.
When Answering Insurance Company Questions, Don’t Comment on Your Injuries
Never discuss your injuries with the insurance company – or anyone else, for that matter – until you’ve seen a doctor.
Many injuries don’t immediately show symptoms. Adrenaline can mask pain or discomfort initially. Symptoms may only become apparent hours or even days later. If you talk about your injuries, you may underestimate their severity. You might not even realize the extent of those injuries.
It’s best to seek medical attention promptly and obtain a professional evaluation first. Consulting with a medical professional ensures that your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented. This documentation serves as crucial evidence when filing an insurance claim and seeking appropriate compensation for your injuries.
Insurance adjusters are skilled in gathering information that can minimize or dispute your claim. If you provide premature information about your injuries, they may use it to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you initially claimed. Speaking with a medical professional before speaking with the insurance company helps you avoid making statements that may inadvertently harm your claim.
Don’t Volunteer Any Additional Information
When answering insurance company questions, it’s essential to provide only the information they specifically request. Avoid offering any unnecessary details the insurer could use against you.
These are just a few reasons you shouldn’t elaborate on the car wreck when an adjuster asks questions.
Protecting Your Rights
Insurance companies will likely attempt to gather as much information as possible from you. They’ll do this to minimize their liability and potentially deny or devalue your claim. By volunteering additional information beyond what they specifically ask, you may inadvertently provide ammunition for the insurance company to dispute your claim.
Avoiding Manipulation of Information
Insurance adjusters are trained to ask open-ended or leading questions to elicit more information from you. They may use friendly or sympathetic tones to encourage you to disclose details unnecessary for the claim evaluation.
Anything you say can be used against you, even innocent statements that may be taken out of context or misinterpreted. By sticking to concise and focused answers, you limit the opportunities for the insurance company to twist your words or misrepresent your statements.
Keeping Control of the Narrative
When you volunteer additional information, you give the insurance company more control over the narrative of the accident and your injuries. They may use this information to create a version of events favorable to their interests. By providing only the necessary information based on the questions asked, you retain more control over how your claim is presented and can ensure that the facts are accurately represented.
Don’t Let Them Record a Statement
Providing a recorded statement to the insurance company without consulting an attorney is generally not a good idea. The insurance company may use your recorded statement against you later in the claims process, potentially twisting your words or using selective editing to undermine your claim.
Remember, decline their request to provide a recorded statement. Inform them that you prefer to provide a written statement instead. This allows you to craft your statement with the assistance of an attorney. That way, you can be sure the statement accurately represents your position.
Stick to the Facts
When answering questions, only provide factual information that you are sure about. Avoid speculating or guessing about any details related to the accident. Stick to what you know based on your observations, any documentation you may have (such as a police report or photographs), and information from reliable sources. Providing speculative or inaccurate information can open the door for the insurance company to dispute your claim based on inconsistencies or contradictions.
Don’t Guess
If you’re unsure about certain details or can’t remember specific information accurately, it’s better to admit that you do not know rather than guessing or making assumptions. This is because guessing can lead to inconsistencies or inaccuracies in your statement, which the insurance company may exploit to weaken your claim. Being upfront about what you know and don’t know is essential. If you can’t recall a particular detail, it’s better to state that you don’t know.
Take Notes
Throughout your interactions with the insurance company, you should always take detailed notes of the conversations. Include dates, times, the names of the individuals you spoke with, and the topics discussed. These notes serve as valuable evidence in case of any discrepancies or disputes during the claims process.
By documenting your interactions, you can provide accurate and consistent information should the need arise to refer back to specific conversations or agreements.
Be Honest
Maintaining honesty and truthfulness in your responses is paramount when answering insurance company questions. Misrepresenting or providing false information can significantly harm your claim and potentially lead to legal consequences. Therefore, it’s crucial to be forthcoming and transparent in your answers.
If you’re unsure about a specific question or don’t have the information at hand, it’s better to admit it rather than provide inaccurate information. Your credibility and honesty can positively impact the outcome of your claim.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for Help Answering Insurance Company Questions
Your best course of action will be to not have a conversation with an insurance adjuster without an attorney by your side. You should hire a lawyer and refer all insurance company questions to your legal representative. Your attorney can focus on dealing with the insurer. You focus on your recovery.
Sand Law attorneys have a lot of experience in car accident cases. We know how to handle insurance companies – no matter how high-powered their professionals may be. Put our knowledge to use for you by using our online form or calling 651-291-7263 for a free case evaluation.