When you’re talking to an insurance adjuster after an accident, don’t admit fault or make casual apologetic statements, even if you’re nervous or just trying to be polite. Common statements such as “I’m sorry, I didn’t see them,” or “It happened so fast, it might have been my fault,” may be twisted into an admission of guilt and could lead the insurance company to deny your injury claim or try to pay you less. Contact our Aurora personal injury attorney today for a free consultation. Some other important things to avoid include:
Don’t Downplay Your Injuries
Avoid making statements like, “I’m fine,” “It’s not that bad,” or “I don’t really need to see a doctor.” Insurance adjusters rely on your early descriptions to judge how seriously you are hurt, and any language about your pain not being that bad can be used against you in the future.
Avoid Speculation or Guessing
Never try to fill in blanks about the accident or guess at facts. If you aren’t positive how the incident occurred, that’s what you should say to the insurance company. Just stick to what you remember.
Never Agree to a Recorded Statement Right Away
Insurance adjusters commonly request a formal, recorded version of events early in the process. But recorded calls can trip you up and make things more difficult; even small contradictions in your wording can create issues later on. Do not agree to being recorded until you’ve talked with a personal injury attorney, who can guide you about what to say and what to avoid.
Don’t Sign Anything Without Review
Don’t agree to sign any documents about settlement offers or waiving any rights until you’ve had time to look them over with an Aurora personal injury lawyer. Once you agree to a settlement offer, you can’t go back for more money, even if injuries arise later on. You want to be certain that the money they’re offering you truly covers your losses.
Avoid Talking About Prior Injuries or Accidents
Only bring up old injuries or prior accidents if your Aurora lawyer advises it. Volunteering such info makes it easier for adjusters to argue that what you’re experiencing now was from an old problem, not the accident in question.
Don’t Post on Social Media
After an Aurora personal injury, you should avoid posting about your accident, injuries, medical treatment, or daily activities on social media. What you publish, even photos or comments that seem harmless, can be twisted by insurance companies or defense attorneys to argue you aren’t as hurt as you claim. Social media checks are a common tactic used against injury victims. An innocent photo out at a family event or joking status with friends might be taken out of context and used to challenge your credibility or reduce your compensation.
Careful communication can protect your ability to recover damages for medical expenses, repairs, lost income, emotional injuries, and more. If you have any questions about a possible case and how to deal with the insurance company, our team can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at 303-625-6643.