Being in a car accident is stressful enough, and it becomes even more stressful once you have to start dealing with the claims process. One of the first steps to this process is when the insurance adjuster from the other driver’s insurance calls you.
This is an important phone call because they’ll be asking questions that will be important to your case. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible, so answering their questions in the right way is essential. Today in the Tolbert Beadle, LLC blog, an auto accident attorney will explain how to deal with this phone call.
Don’t Discuss Your Medical Condition Yet
For the first conversation you have with an adjuster, you should avoid talking about your current medical condition. Often, injuries may not present themselves right away. The adjuster knows this, and that’s why they call you as soon as possible.
You may feel fine now, and if you admit that to them, it will be harder to make a case if injuries and pain begin to present themselves in the days following. Our auto accident attorney advises you tell them that you’re currently seeking treatment from a doctor and that you will be able to further elaborate on your condition at a later date.
Don’t Admit Fault
When discussing the circumstances of the accident, our auto accident attorney advises only going over the basics during the first call. This means that you should only talk about where it happened, when it happened, and what damage has been done to your vehicle.
Even if you have some of the blame to share, you don’t want to give the adjuster anything to work with at this point. If you aren’t familiar with their tactics, they may be able to get you to admit more negligence than you’re actually liable for. Remember, the more they can prove fault on your part, the less they have to pay out.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney
The main reason you should keep this call as simple as possible is you may not have had the chance to speak with your auto accident attorney yet. Handling adjusters on your own can be extremely difficult and can cause you to pay out more or receive less money than you’re owed.
Contact your auto accident attorney as soon as possible so they can handle the claims adjuster on your behalf and advise you on the questions they may ask. Contact Tolbert Beadle today to schedule a free consultation.
