The Do’s and Don'ts of Speaking with an Insurance Adjuster

Every year, traffic crash injuries and fatalities often result in huge medical expenses, work loss costs, and an immeasurable burden on the accident victims, their families, and friends. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the estimated economic loss of all motor vehicle crashes in Texas in 2019 was $39.2 billion. A person injured in a car accident may be eligible to recover damages. Upon filing your personal injury claim, you may get a call from an insurance adjuster asking about the crash and how it happened.

The period after an auto accident can be difficult and confusing to sort through. Speaking with an insurance adjuster without experienced legal guidance can inadvertently hurt your case. At The Torres Law Firm, we have devoted our careers to offering knowledgeable guidance and compassionate representation to individuals and families facing difficult times. Our experienced Texas personal injury attorneys will review your situation, conduct a thorough, private investigation, and offer you the detailed legal counsel and advocacy you need in your personal injury case. We proudly serve clients throughout Corpus Christi, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas.

The Insurance Adjuster’s Role

An insurance adjuster, also known as a claims specialist or claims adjuster, is an expert who is usually tasked with investigating, evaluating, and settling personal injury claims. The claims adjuster will also determine the right amount of compensation that should be paid by the insurance company for injuries, vehicle damages, or loss suffered by victims in a traffic crash. The insurance adjuster has the following roles:

• Review, investigate, assess, and settle injury claims

• Evaluate whether the insurance policy provides coverage for the loss

• Assess damage and injuries suffered by accident victims

• Ensure injury claims are not fraudulent

• Speak with the plaintiff and other witnesses to decide rightful compensation

• Determine fair financial compensation the insurer should pay the claimant

• Negotiate a fair settlement with the plaintiffs, their legal counsel, or representatives

• Contact the plaintiffs’ doctors or employers to uncover fraudulent claims

• Approve payments and ensure claimants are fully compensated

• Work with attorneys on personal injury claims, when required

• Deny claims that are false or fraudulent

• Refer potentially fraudulent claims to a private investigator

Requests for A Statement

When conducting an investigation, the claims adjuster may ask you to make a statement about the incident. Conversely, speaking with the insurance adjuster before consulting with your lawyer can inadvertently affect the outcome of your injury claims. Unknown to you, the claims specialist may:

• Take your statement out of context

• Use your statement to reduce your compensation

• Use your statement against you

• Ask contradictory questions with the aim of creating inconsistencies in your statement

What You Should & Shouldn’t Say

In the event that you choose to speak to the insurance adjuster, you should remember the following:

• Ask the claims adjuster not to record your conversation or statement

• Never acknowledge that you were at fault for the accident

• You should only answer questions that you are sure about

• Do not volunteer to provide additional information

• Keep your statement or conversation as brief as possible

• Do not sign any document without your attorney’s approval

To be on the safer side and to avoid making statements that can hurt your case, you can just politely decline to make a statement.

What Information Will They Ask For?

The claims adjuster may ask you to provide the following information:

• Personal details such as full name, address, phone number, and employer

• Details of the bodily injuries, vehicle damages, and other losses suffered

• Your personal account of the accident, including when and where it occurred, the types of vehicles involved, as well as the parties responsible for the crash

• Information about your medical bills, doctor’s report, medical records, radiologist reports, and other additional records relating to your injury case

• Independent medical examinations

• Identities of witness and statements made by them

• Accident scene photos

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

The insurance adjuster isn’t on your side. They are working for the insurer and only searching for different ways to reduce the amount of compensation you will receive. Your statements may be interpreted differently, thereby unintentionally hurting your case. If you receive a call from the insurance provider’s claims adjuster requesting a conversation with you, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is crucial to protect your case.

At The Torres Law Firm, we can offer you the comprehensive legal guidance and aggressive representation you need in your personal injury lawsuit. As experienced Texas auto accident attorneys, we will review all the details of your circumstances and explore your possible legal options to recover damages. Our attorneys can fight to protect your rights and represent your best interests.

We will handle all communications with the insurance company and claims adjusters on your behalf. Our attorneys will estimate your case value and help you pursue fair financial compensation for your injuries, property damages, or loss. Having our team on your side can improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in your personal injury claim.

Contact us at The Torres Law Firm today to schedule a consultation. We proudly represent accident victims and their families throughout Corpus Christi, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas. Contact today to get the help you need.