Do I Need a Lawyer Before Talking to a Claims Adjuster?

After
an accident, you can count on fielding phone calls from a variety of insurance
adjusters. Your own insurance carrier will want to speak with you immediately
to determine if you were at fault. The other driver’s insurance adjuster will
likely call for similar reasons. In many cases, you could hear from them within
hours of the crash. Should you speak to a lawyer before talking with an
adjuster?

The truth is, you should never talk directly with an adjuster in the first place. While you are required under the terms of your policy to work with your insurance company, that does not mean you have to deal with them one-on-one. Our New York City personal injury lawyers can serve as your go-between with all interested insurers.

Why you should
never speak with an adjuster

First
and foremost, insurance adjusters are not making social calls. When an adjuster
reaches out after an accident, their primary goal is to help their employer
avoid as much liability as possible. Often, this is at your expense.

This
is the case whether the adjuster works for your insurance company or the other
driver’s. Sure, you have a contract for insurance with your carrier. That does
not make the adjuster your friend, however. If you are liable for an accident,
finding a way to avoid paying out on your claim could save your insurance
carrier thousands of dollars.

The
conversations you have with an adjuster will be recorded. These tapes could
wind up providing the insurance company with grounds to reject your claim,
depending on what you tell them. Insurance adjusters will often use leading
questions to get you to admit fault – even when you were not responsible for a
crash. They will also note any inconsistencies between various statements you
make.

At
the end of the day, insurance adjusters are trained professionals that have
experience with this type of negotiation. For most drivers, this could be the first
time ever dealing with an insurance claim. This disparity of experience could
work against you during a call.

What to do when an adjuster calls

When
an insurance adjuster calls, they will often imply that you have no choice but
to talk to them. This is especially common when it is your own insurance
provider on the phone. While you are required to cooperate with your insurer,
that does not mean you are not allowed to defer to legal counsel immediately
after a crash.

You
have options when adjusters call before you have had a chance to speak with an
attorney. First and foremost, you can just ask to call them back. Informing the
adjuster that you are busy, but that you are happy to speak with them shortly
could buy you time to obtain counsel. Before you hang up, be sure to obtain all
of the adjuster’s pertinent information. This includes their name, insurance
company, phone number, e-mail address, and fax number.

After you hire an attorney, your response to an adjuster would be different. It is fine to answer their call, but you should immediately inform them that you are represented by counsel. Respectfully ask them to contact your personal injury attorney to discuss your claim. You should have the contact information for your attorney handy so that you can provide it to your insurance carrier. After the call, let your attorney know that the insurance company reached out.

Let an experienced
attorney help

You
have plenty on your plate following a vehicle accident. An experienced attorney
could lighten the load by dealing with the insurance companies on your behalf.
This is more than just a convenience, however. Seasoned injury attorneys have
ample experience negotiating with insurance adjusters over the value of the
claim.

At Douglas & London, our New York City car accident lawyers stand ready to serve as your advocates after a crash. We understand what the insurance companies are looking for when they call. Our attorneys have the experience necessary to get the most out of your insurance claim without putting your recovery at risk.

Ready
to move forward with your injury claim? Contact Douglas & London as soon as
possible to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation.