5 Mistakes Insurance Adjusters Will Use Against You in a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, then you will likely have to file an insurance claim to cover your medical expenses and other costs. The insurance company you will make the claim towards will do its best to keep its spending at a minimum.

Insurance adjusters are hired by the company to investigate incidents they are liable to pay for and to find out how the claimed amount is justified.

Here are 5 mistakes you could make that will be used by insurance adjusters against you.

Giving a Recorded Statement

You might think that you are required to give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, but this is not the case. You can politely decline their proposal, as a recorded statement can be a powerful piece of evidence they can later use against you. For example, you might say something that is subject to interpretation, and they will have your voice on the record to prove it.

Signing a Release Form

Don’t sign any release form until you have reached full medical recovery and paid for your other expenses. Signing a release form too early might leave you with expenses you won’t be able to cover through the insurance company.

Accepting the First Offer

The first offer they make might be tempting, since it wraps up all the legal stuff, and puts some money in your pocket. You have to keep in mind that the first offer will be lower than what you should get, and adjusters might even claim that it’s the final offer they can make.

Signing a Medical Authorization

Adjusters will often ask you to sign medical releases, claiming that they need them to check the extent of your injuries. The issue with this is that, by signing an authorization, you are giving them access to all your medical records, and they will work hard at finding any proof to indicate that the accident was not the only cause of your injuries.

Signing a Release That Gives Them Access to Your Employment Records

Similarly, adjusters might want to convince you to sign an employment record authorization, which will give them access to information about your performance, pension information, medical leaves and other things you might want to keep private.

So what can you do when facing a professional whose performance is evaluated by how low they settle with car accident claimants? Your best chance of avoiding these mistakes is to speak with a St. Louis car accident lawyer who can deal with the insurance company for you, and instruct you on how to talk to their representatives.