Handling Insurance Adjusters After a Personal Injury Claim and How an Attorney Can Help

After a personal injury, things rarely remain the same. Pain slows you down, medical expenses start piling up, and uncertainty casts a shadow on every thought. In the midst of all this, the insurance adjusters call you to discuss your claim. Their tones are invariably calm and soothing.

However, each question they ask serves a purpose, and that purpose is not always in your favor. Unknown to you, you may utter something that negates your claim or accept far less than what you deserve. So, it is crucial to understand how to deal with insurance adjusters. Working with a San Antonio personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights.

What Are the Most Effective Ways to Handle Insurance Adjusters?

Insurance adjusters work around the clock to either minimize the payout that you get or ensure that you do not get any at all. Here are some simple yet effective ways to handle insurance adjusters so you can maximize the benefits of your claim:

1. Be Careful With Your Words

The first step is to be cautious with your words. When speaking with insurance adjusters, you should provide brief, factual answers without speculating. Avoid guessing facts, discussing fault, or detailing the extent of your injuries. This is because an insurance claims adjuster is adept at identifying statements that could potentially invalidate your claim. 

2. Refuse Recorded Statements Without Legal Guidance

Although providing a recorded statement may appear harmless, it can become a powerful weapon in the hands of an adjuster. Once your words are recorded, they can be dissected, analyzed, and quoted out of context. Therefore, you should always speak with your attorney before offering a recorded statement.

3. Delay Decisions on Settlement Offers

Insurance companies rarely offer their most substantial settlement without negotiations. The initial proposal is an attempt to settle the claim quickly while keeping the firm’s costs to a bare minimum. Therefore, rushing to accept this offer may result in you being undercompensated for your medical bills, lost income, future expenses, and pain and suffering.

4. Only Share Relevant Medical Records

You also need to exercise care when sharing medical information or updates with adjusters. You should only share the reports that are relevant to injuries related to the accident. Sharing your entire medical history provides them with the opportunity to search for pre-existing and unrelated conditions. These are then used to contend that your injuries are unrelated to the incident or less severe.

What Roles Can a Personal Injury Attorney in Texas Play for You?

Dealing with adjusters requires more than just the ability to ask questions. You need a comprehensive understanding of the legal implications of your statements, which is where a personal injury lawyer can be of assistance. An attorney can help your case by:

• Taking Over Communication

This small step takes a huge weight off your shoulders. It prevents an innocuous comment from being used against you to invalidate your claim. Instead, each word is chosen with great care, and each reply is carefully planned.

• Building a Detailed and Convincing Case

A good claim is supported by evidence, and attorneys know exactly how to obtain and present it. They obtain medical records, accident reports, photos, videos, and witness statements. They use this evidence to build a strong case, making it more difficult for the insurer to reject your claim.

• Accurately Valuing Your Claim

Without legal guidance, people often receive payments that cover immediate expenses but not the long-term impact of their injuries. A lawyer, however, calculates the real value of your case. The calculation involves future medical costs, lost wages, impaired earning capacity, and pain and suffering due to the injury.

Conclusion

Dealing with an insurance adjuster after a personal injury is something you should never do unprepared. All questions asked and offers made are done to their company’s advantage, not yours. Working with an attorney is the most effective way to protect your rights and secure a fair settlement.