If you were recently involved in an accident, understanding how to deal with the insurance adjuster and what to avoid saying to them is crucial in protecting your legal rights. For more information and to secure skilled legal representation, reach out to a knowledgeable San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer today.
Why is It Important to Be Careful When Speaking With an Insurance Adjuster?
It is important to keep in mind that insurance adjusters are not on your side. Instead, they work for the insurance company, whose goal is to minimize payouts and maximize profits. The adjuster will protect the company’s financial interests over yours, so watching your words is imperative in protecting your legal rights.
Anything that you say can be used against you, even casual comments like “I’m fine” or “I’m doing well.” While you may mean it as a turn of phrase or platitude, the adjuster could manipulate your words as evidence that you are not injured.
California is a tort or at-fault state, meaning that whoever is legally responsible for causing the accident will be liable for paying the damages. Establishing liability is the most crucial part of a personal injury case, so you must avoid saying anything that could seem like an admission of fault.
What Should I Avoid Saying to An Insurance Adjuster After an Accident?
Because the words you say to the insurance adjuster will have such an impact on the outcome of your case, it is important to understand which phrases and statements to avoid. Below are some of the most important things not to say to an insurance adjuster.
- That you are sorry: Statements like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t even see them” can be considered an admission of guilt. In California, even being found partially responsible for an accident can reduce the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
- That you feel fine: Downplaying your injuries is never a good idea when speaking with an insurance adjuster. Many injuries do not show symptoms immediately, and if you say that you weren’t hurt or you feel okay, it can be used later to argue that your injuries are not connected to the crash.
- Speculations: Saying things like “I think this happened” or “I might have been speeding” can be detrimental to your case. They can sound like admissions of guilt, and the adjuster can use your speculations to argue that there is a possibility you were partly or completely at fault.
- Your prior medical history: If you mention any pre-existing health issues, insurers could argue that your current injuries were unrelated to the accident. If there is no established link between your damages and the current crash, the other party or insurance company may not be required to pay the damages.
For more information, reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Allister R. Liao, P.C.