when in a car accident should i contact a lawyer before the insurance adjuster?

It is completely true when it comes to talking to the insurance adjuster after a car accident! Why do you think they ALWAYS ask you if they can record your statement? (Don’t agree to that, by the way!) If you are injured in a car wreck, it makes all the sense in the world to talk to a lawyer BEFORE you talk to any adjuster.

Full Answer

Can a car accident lawyer help with insurance adjusters?

In Chicago, many car accident lawyers have been dealing with insurance adjusters for decades. Reach out to a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers if you have questions. A lawyer who specializes in car accidents can be at your side the whole way through these tough negotiations.

Should I speak to a lawyer before a car accident claim?

Before you mention that you did something wrong, wait to speak to your lawyer, because evidence might later reveal other variables. And when the insurance adjuster asks you about damages to your vehicle, get a quote from your own auto-repair shop, not the shop they suggest.

What should I do in my first contact with an insurance adjuster?

In your first contact with an insurance adjuster, make it clear that you will not be discussing much on the phone. Not only should you give very limited information in this first phone call, as discussed above, but you should also set clear limits on any further phone contact.

What is an insurance adjuster looking for in a claim?

Naturally enough, an insurance adjuster is going to want to know about the nature and extent of your injuries. Do not give a detailed description yet. You might leave something out, or discover an injury later, or your injury may turn out to be worse than you originally thought.

What should you not say to an adjuster?

Never say that you are sorry or admit any kind of fault. Remember that a claims adjuster is looking for reasons to reduce the liability of an insurance company, and any admission of negligence can seriously compromise a claim.

How do you scare insurance adjusters?

The best way to scare insurance carriers or adjusters is to have an attorney by your side to fight for you. You should not settle for less.

Do insurance companies want to settle quickly?

If it is clear that their insured is at fault for an accident, the insurance companies will want to settle any potential claims as quickly as possible so that they will not be responsible for any future medical and personal expenses.

How do you negotiate a higher settlement in a car accident?

8 Auto Accident Settlement Negotiation TipsInitiate a Claim as Soon as Possible After an Auto Accident.Keep Accurate Records About the Accident.Calculate a Fair Settlement.Send a Detailed Demand Letter to the Insurance Company.Do Not Accept the First Offer.Emphasize the Points in Your Favor.Get Everything in Writing.More items...

How do I talk to an insurance claims adjuster?

How to Talk to Insurance Claims AdjustersKeep a Polite Tone. ... Do Not Feel Pressured to Answered Questions. ... Do Not Give Too Many Details. ... Identify the Claims Adjuster. ... Decline to Give a Recorded Statement. ... Wait to Settle Until You Have Contacted a Lawyer.

Why does insurance adjuster want to meet with me?

What Does The Insurance Adjuster Want From Me? The insurance adjuster wants to obtain a statement from you. The insurance adjuster wants to discover how you viewed the accident. If you tell a different story of how the accident occurred, they will use the fact that you made two different statements against you.

Why would an insurance company offer a settlement?

When an insurance company offers you a settlement, they are essentially acknowledging their client's fault in the accident. They want you to settle to avoid litigation or going to court. Insurance companies usually do not want to get legal help involved.

What is a quick settlement?

Often vendors and purchasers want to settle as soon as possible so that they can either receive their money quickly or can start moving in to their new home. A standard contract allows for 35 days between exchange and settlement however the settlement period can be as short or as long as the parties agree.

How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?

about 30 daysIs there a time limit for insurance claim settlements? Generally, the insurance company has about 30 days to investigate your auto insurance claim, though the number of days vary by state.

How do you respond to a low settlement offer?

Steps to Respond to a Low Settlement OfferRemain Calm and Analyze Your Offer. Just like anything in life, it's never a good idea to respond emotionally after receiving a low offer. ... Ask Questions. ... Present the Facts. ... Develop a Counteroffer. ... Respond in Writing.

How do insurance adjusters determine the value of a car?

Assuming the vehicle is totaled, the adjuster then conducts an appraisal and assigns a value to the vehicle. The damage from the accident is not considered in the appraisal. What the adjuster seeks to estimate is what a reasonable cash offer for the vehicle would have been immediately before the accident took place.

What is the number to call if you are injured in a car wreck?

You are welcome to call me, COMPLETELY free of charge, at 800-898-4877.

How does insurance work?

Remember how insurance works – insurance companies collect premiums from all their customers, and then they pay out some of that money in claims. The difference between the amount they take in in premiums and the amount they pay out in claims is their profit.

What happens when a car wreck comes out of nowhere?

It comes out of nowhere, and rocks your world (in a BAD way!) There are few things that will turn your life upside down as quickly and thoroughly as a car wreck. It is a complete invasion of your time and your life, and it happens in a second, without any warning.

What happens if another driver's insurance is disputing fault?

If the other driver’s insurance is disputing fault, they likely won’t be willing to pay for your repairs. Your own insurance company can step in, pay for the repairs, and set you up with a rental vehicle.

Who do you reach out to for a car accident report?

This information will also be valuable for your car accident lawyer who will need to reach out to the other driver’s insurance company, other witnesses, and the police for the accident report.

How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in Georgia?

According to Georgia’s statute of limitations, you have two years from the day you were injured to file your personal injury claim with the state civil courts.

Can you give a recorded statement to an insurance company?

No one should ever give a recorded statement to an insurance company, even their own insurance company, without consulting an attorney first.

Can insurance companies say "I'm sorry"?

Insurance companies are known for manipulating you into somehow admitting the accident was your fault. Even saying a simple “I’m sorry,” can be all they need to prove you were at fault. It’s best to let your lawyer do all the talking when it comes to dealing with other parties’ insurance companies.

How to tell insurance adjuster about an accident?

Insurance adjusters or other representatives may try to get you to "give a statement"" about how the accident happened. Or they may simply engage you in conversation during which they will subtly try to get you to tell them about the accident. Politely refuse to discuss any of the facts except the most basic: where, when, the type of accident, the vehicles involved if it was a traffic accident, and the identity of any witnesses. Say that your investigation of the accident is still continuing and that you will discuss the facts further "at the appropriate time." Later, you will probably be sending a personal injury demand letter in which you will describe the accident in detail.

What do insurance adjusters do?

Insurance adjusters or other representatives may try to get you to "give a statement"" about how the accident happened. Or they may simply engage you in conversation during which they will subtly try to get you to tell them about the accident.

What happens after a car accident?

In the hours after a car accident, or any kind of incident that causes you injury, your phone might start ringing, and the caller may well be an insurance adjuster or another representative of the other person involved involved in the accident. Let's look at what you should say (and what you should avoid discussing) during your first post-accident ...

What information do you need to tell an insurance adjuster?

Give Only Limited Personal Information. You need only tell the insurance adjuster your full name, address, and telephone number. You can also tell them what type of work you do and where you are employed. But at this point you need not explain or discuss anything else about your work, your schedule, or your income.

How to decline an adjuster's request to record your statements?

Politely but firmly decline an adjuster's request to record your statements. Tell him or her that you are not comfortable with recording, and that when your information is complete, you will provide it in writing.

Can an adjuster record a phone conversation?

Many claims adjusters immediately push you to give a tape-recorded statement, or casually ask if they may record your phone conversation, claiming it will protect you later. Do not agree to have any conversation recorded. You have no legal obligation to be recorded, and it is against the law for an adjuster to record you without your permission.

Do insurance adjusters offer settlements?

Insurance adjusters sometimes offer a settlement during the first one or two phone calls. Quick settlements like that save the insurance company work. More important, they get you to settle for a small amount before you fully understand what your injuries are and how much your personal injury claim is worth.

What to do if you accidentally say the wrong thing on your car insurance?

Getting assistance from your car insurance company's adjuster may help prevent you from accidentally saying the wrong thing, or saying more than you have to. Bottom line: If you're confident that any injuries and damages are minor and it's clear the other driver was at fault, you're probably better off speaking with the other driver's car insurance ...

What happens after a car accident?

After a car accident, you may receive a call from the other driver's insurance company, regardless of how clear it may be that the other driver was at fault for the crash. Even in situations where you're at fault, the other driver's insurance company could still contact you. Either way, you need to be careful with the information you provide to ...

What is the goal of the other driver's car insurance company?

First, always remember that the primary goal of the other driver's car insurance company is to pay out as little money as possible. The company does not have your interests in mind. It wants to find evidence that you were at fault for the accident, and that your damages or injuries are minor (or nonexistent). ...

What happens if you don't speak to your insurance company?

In those circumstances, if you don't speak with the other driver's car insurance company, it will be a long time before you get a settlement check from the other insurance company , if at all. Ideally, your attorney or a representative from your own car insurance company will talk to the other driver's insurer, but this isn't always possible ...

Do you have to speak to your insurance company after an accident?

Let's quickly answer the question that the title of this article poses: No, you are not legally required to speak with the other insurance company's representative. Speaking to your own insurance company after a car accident is a different story, however.

Should you tell your insurance company your injuries are minor?

So, you shouldn't tell the insurer that you feel fine or that your injuries are minor. Even if you believe this is the case, some car accident injuries don't show up right away, and minor injuries can turn out to be much more serious than expected. Second, anything you say to the other driver's car insurance company can serve as a basis ...

Can you speak to another insurance company?

You also should n't speak with the other driver's insurer if you have a car accident attorney or adjuster from your own insurance company who can speak on your behalf. Having said that, in some situations, it may make sense to speak with the other insurance company.

What to do when a claims adjuster calls?

When a claims adjuster calls, immediately find out who you’re speaking to, and who they represent.

Why do insurance adjusters get paid?

Insurance adjusters are paid to keep costs down — so naturally, they’ll have some tricks up their sleeves.

How to avoid insurance fraud?

Prevent insurance fraud — make sure you’re not outright lying. Settle claims for a low amount. Settle claims quickly. Often, insurance adjusters deal with 100 claims per month. They have a lot on their plate, and they don’t necessarily have specialized medical or legal training.

How long after a car accident do you get a call?

Naturally, gathering evidence isn’t at the top of your priorities — you just want to make sure everyone is safe. But just a couple days after a car accident, you’ll get a call from an insurance claims adjuster. You need to be very careful what you say — you’d be surprised ...

Why do you have to wait to talk to your lawyer before you say something wrong?

Before you mention that you did something wrong, wait to speak to your lawyer, because evidence might later reveal other variables.

How do you feel about a car accident?

Avoid giving a lot of details about the injury. Car accidents are very frightening. At the end of the day, you feel grateful to still be living and breathing. Combined with adrenaline, this feeling can make your injuries seem less consequential.

Is a low stress settlement a good deal?

A quick, low-stress settlement might seem like a good deal. But you should absolutely negotiate — even if an offer seems good — because negotiation will get you more money. So, gather compelling evidence and make a counteroffer. Remember, the insurance adjuster wants to settle the claim, too.