The first thing to know about dealing with insurance adjusters after a car accident is that they are not on your side. Their goal is to save their company money by undervaluing and denying claims. These representatives will look for any reason to pay you as little money as possible.
So, you should:
- Only give them information that is absolutely necessary
- Refrain from talking about fault
- Refuse to give a recorded statement
- Keep all written correspondence for your personal records
You should also consider how a lawyer from our firm can deal with the claims adjuster for you. We can protect you against any delays that could impact your case’s progression.
Tips for Handling the Insurance Adjusters After an Accident
Following a collision, you might feel as though you are at the mercy of the insurance company. This is not necessarily the case, as you have certain rights and protections, per the State Bar of Nevada. Insurance companies are not allowed to:
- Deny your claim without explaining why
- Refuse to respond to your messages
- Pressure you into accepting a low offer
- Intimidate or bully you
- Make false statements or promises
- Blatantly misinterpret policies
With that being said, while dealing with the claims adjuster, you should avoid:
Giving Unnecessary Information
To file your claim, you will need to provide the insurance company with certain pieces of information, like:
- The date of the collision and its location
- Your name, birthday, and other related information
- A copy of your driver’s license
- Your vehicle’s registration
- Proof of your injuries
If they ask you for any information that seems out of place or suspicious, you do not have to give it to them. They could be asking you for pieces of information that are difficult to obtain as a way of denying your claim.
Discussing Fault
Claims adjusters are notorious for asking “loaded” questions. Really, these questions are carefully designed to get you to admit fault for the accident. NRS §41.141 says that you cannot recover damages if you are more than 50 percent responsible for what happened.
By getting you to admit even a portion of fault for the accident, it can jeopardize the success of your claim. The insurance company could either deny your claim or reduce the amount of money they award you.
Giving a Recorded Statement
The claims adjuster might ask you to give a recorded statement. Here, they will ask you some questions and record your answers. This conversation is not your chance to give your side of the story—it is the insurance company’s chance to edit your words out of context or ask misleading questions.
Regardless of what they tell you, you do not have to give a recorded statement.
You Should Keep Copies of All Correspondence Between Yourself and the Insurer
One day, the insurance representative may agree to pay for your losses. The next day, however, they may renege on that promise. Instead of playing he-said, she-said, having copies of your correspondence can verify certain things.
Be sure to keep track of all:
- Dates of when you spoke to them over the phone
- Emails and text messages
- The names of the people you spoke to
- The times when you spoke to a representative
- The paperwork they give you
We Can Deal With the Insurance Adjusters for You
Our law firm understands the ins and outs of the insurance industry. We know what lengths representatives will go to deny claims, and we know how we can help you.
When negotiating a settlement, we can:
- Present the cost of your losses
- Establish fault and liability
- Demonstrate how negligence resulted in your accident
- Consult accident reconstruction specialists, healthcare professionals, and economists and get their testimony
- Highlight the liable policy
If the insurance company is not willing to settle, we will file a lawsuit against the negligent driver. We generally have two years to file your lawsuit, according to NRS §11.190(4)(e).
What You Can Do to Help Your Case
While our team deals with the insurance representatives for you, here are some things that could benefit your case:
Avoid Posting to Social Media
Anything you post online could hurt your case. For instance, if you post a picture of yourself with friends and family, the insurance company could refute the severity of your condition.
Follow Through With Medical Care
Unless you have a valid reason to do so, you should follow your doctor’s orders after getting hurt in an accident. If you have an adverse reaction to medications or treatment, do not stop them cold turkey; instead, share your concerns with your healthcare team.
Connect With the Attorneys at High Stakes Injury Law Today
When you call (702) 444-3228, you can learn more about how we can manage the insurance adjusters for you. Do not worry about giving recorded statements, playing phone tag, or recognizing bad faith insurance practices; let our team take on those obligations for you.