If an insurance company has become involved, you may be unsure of what to do if you were hurt in a car accident. In Connecticut, the insurance policy of the at-fault driver is used to cover the losses of the injured driver. So, it is very important to watch what you say to the at-fault party's claims adjuster, as they will use any opportunity to pass blame to you and deny your claim, if possible.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, so it's important to remember they will use whatever means possible to pay you the least amount possible or deny your claim altogether. This means, an insurance adjuster will use a variety of strategies to find a flaw in your case. Their ultimate objective is to minimize or reject your claim.
We will provide some very important advice for defending your rights below while interacting with a claims adjuster. If you have any more questions, get in touch with a skilled Connecticut car accident attorney at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law to go over your case.
Provide Basic Personal Details & Be Polite
Insurance adjusters are taught to appear cordial and friendly, but they are not your pals. They speak for the interests of the insurance company, not your own. As a result, you should limit the information you give them about yourself to the bare minimum, such as your name, contact information, and address. While you could also include other fundamental information like your job, you shouldn't go into specifics about other elements of your life. At this point, the insurance adjuster just truly needs to be familiar with the fundamentals.
The process can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you are still recovering from major injuries, even if you're pursuing a claim with your own insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company.
Being angry and irritable with the claims adjuster won't speed up your experience. Try to be as kind as you can when interacting with insurance adjusters to avoid awkward situations and hasten the processing of your injury claim.
Don't Go Into Detail About The Accident
You should also refrain from going into detail about the accident. Other than the date and location of the collision, the vehicles involved, any witnesses, and other essential information, you shouldn't disclose any further specifics regarding the accident.
The claims adjuster will ask for more information about the accident. They could also inspire you to make assumptions about unknown details pertaining to your case. You should never make assumptions, provide extra details, or express an opinion. Tell the claims adjuster that your investigation into the accident is still underway and stick to the known facts of your case. It would be easiest to handle this kind of inquiry with the help of a CT car accident lawyer.
Don't Go Into Detail About Your Injuries
Even though the insurance adjuster will ask more about your injuries, you shouldn't go into great detail until you know how severe they are and how much improvement is possible. It's possible that you have injuries that you're not yet aware of. Also, a current injury you are aware of can end up being worse than you first thought. It should be sufficient to inform the insurance adjuster that you are currently receiving treatment.
Refuse Any Request To Record Your Conversation With The Claims Adjuster
A recorded statement might be requested by the claims adjuster. Insurance companies frequently employ this strategy to confuse claimants. The insurance adjuster may even attempt to convince you that you must provide a recorded statement in order to be covered, but this is untrue.
The insurance company wants to manipulate you into saying contradictory statements about the accident. These contradictory claims can be used by them to reduce the amount they must pay you or to completely deny your claim. Tell the insurance adjuster up front that you won't be giving any recorded statements.
Do Not Entertain Quick Settlement Offers Without a Lawyer
This is arguably one of the most important things to remember. Another strategy employed by insurance adjusters to lessen their losses is to approach you with a car accident settlement offer up front, usually before many of the details of your case are fully understood. Never accept a settlement offer — early or otherwise — without first speaking with a car accident lawyer.
Early settlement offers are usually not very generous. After you agree to a settlement, you will give up the opportunity to ask the insurer for more money. You can incur considerable out-of-pocket charges if your medical costs or lost wages are higher than you initially anticipated.
An early settlement offer should always be viewed as the very minimum the insurance company is willing to pay. The initial settlement proposal is only a starting point for settlement discussions.
Brandon J. Broderick Can Assist You With Your Claim
It can be unsettling to learn that an insurance company is looking into your accident claim. We have decades of expertise dealing with accident claims in Connecticut and the strategies insurance companies employ to undervalue your claim. To make sure you are fairly rewarded for your claim, Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law will fight for the highest amount of damages in a settlement, or even at trial, if necessary.
Our skilled car accident lawyers will assist you in building a strong case and pursuing justice.
For a free case evaluation, contact us today.