Should I Speak To Insurance Adjusters Myself?

After being hurt by medical malpractice, a car crash, or another type of accident, you may suffer serious injuries and other damages, such as lost wages. You may be able to file a claim for compensation for your losses, but dealing with the insurance company is never easy.  In the moments, days, and weeks following your accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you.

They may say they want to do what is right and are willing to offer a fair settlement. Unfortunately, this is not true. Insurance adjusters prioritize the company’s profits over your safety and well-being. Below, our Hillsville car accident lawyer outlines what you need to know about dealing with insurers after an accident.

What Tactics Do Insurance Adjusters Use to Deny Claims?

Although insurance adjusters may act as though they want to help, they do not. They want to speak to you so they can take your words out of context and use them against you. Some of the most common tactics used by insurance adjusters include:

• Asking for a recorded statement: You should never provide the insurance company with a recorded statement. If you make statements such as, “I am feeling okay” or “I am sorry the accident ever happened,” the insurer will use that to show that you were not seriously hurt or that you take blame for the accident. The latter of these is particularly harmful, as you cannot claim compensation if you contributed at all to the accident, under Virginia’s contributory negligence law.
• Asking you to sign a medical release: The insurer may ask you to sign a medical release so they can comb through your medical records. They do this to search for a pre-existing condition they can blame for your injuries rather than the accident itself.
• Making lowball settlement offers: Perhaps the most common tactic insurers use is to offer a lowball settlement. They hope that you are so eager to obtain any compensation that you will accept it. While the settlement offer may seem first, it most likely is not.

How a Hillsville Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

After being hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you must speak with a Virginia personal injury lawyer. An attorney can speak to the insurance adjuster on your behalf and ensure that your rights are protected. Experienced attorneys understand the tactics insurers use to deny, delay, and reduce claims and will ensure they are not used so your claim is protected.

A lawyer will also accurately value your claim so you have a full understanding of the full damages you are entitled to and negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf.

Call Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Virginia Today

At The Jackson Law Group, PLLC, our Hillsville car accident lawyer can handle the insurance company and all other legal details of your case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Call us now at (276) 777-7654 or fill out our online form to request a consultation with our experienced attorney and to get the strong legal representation you need.