When the Negligent Driver’s Insurance Adjuster Calls, Follow This Advice From an Experienced Washington Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault, it's only natural to expect an insurance company to treat you fairly. Sadly, many people discover that insurers are much more concerned about protecting profits than helping innocent victims.
If you were injured in a bike crash and are filing a claim with the negligent driver's insurance company, you need to be very careful if an insurance adjuster calls you. Let our experienced bicycle accident lawyer at Max Meyers Law protect your rights so they don't take advantage of you. We’ll also fight for the compensation you deserve and need to pick up the pieces of your life. Here, Max shares essential tips on how to handle talking to the insurance company.
Why the Insurance Company is Contacting You
You may receive a call within days of your bike accident while you’re still in the hospital or at home coping with the serious injuries you suffered. An adjuster knows this is a vulnerable time for you and, unfortunately, might try to take advantage of that.
You need to understand the reasons why the insurer is contacting you to know how to handle the situation. Here's why they’re reaching out now:
- To investigate your claim. The company wants details about the bicycle accident. It has a duty to investigate your claim and decide whether to offer you a settlement. While this might seem straightforward, an adjuster’s questions may be designed to minimize payment to you.
- Find out damaging information. Adjusters know how to ask questions that might lead you to inadvertently admit fault or downplay your injuries. The goal is often to gather any information they can use to reduce—or even deny—your claim.
10 Tips on How to Handle a Call from the Insurance Company
While an adjuster may sound concerned about you when they call, you need to remember that they’re not your friend. They could be nice, but they work for the insurance company, and their goal is to save their employer money. It’s crucial to handle the conversation carefully to protect your rights and your claim. Here are our tips to guide you.
1. Be Polite
Always remain courteous and calm. If you become defensive or argue with the adjuster, you could say something you’ll regret later—or that can be used against you.
2. Get the Insurance Adjuster's Information
Ask for the adjuster's and insurance company's name, contact details, and your claim number. You’ll need this information if you have to talk to them in the future and for your attorney.
3. Don't Offer Information
Provide only the necessary details, such as your name, address, and phone number. When answering the adjuster's questions, limit what you say and don't volunteer any information. Keeping your answers short and sweet is the best approach to avoid making statements that can be misunderstood.
4. Don't Discuss the Accident Details
Avoid discussing the specifics of the incident. Just provide the basics of the crash's date, time, and location. Then, tell them your lawyer will handle future discussions regarding the nature of the bicycle crash and your related claim.
5. Limit Talking About Your Injuries
Don’t go into detail about your injuries. Simply state that you’re receiving medical treatment and avoid giving any specifics. The reality is that you have no idea how severe your injuries are, the medical treatments you might need, or if you will make a full recovery right after the bicycle accident.
6. Don't Apologize
You may feel bad about the bicycle accident, especially if the driver was also injured. However, resist the urge to apologize or say "I'm sorry." An adjuster could interpret these statements as an admission that you were at least partially at fault in causing the crash.
7. Don't Agree to Give a Recorded Statement
An adjuster might ask you to provide a recorded statement and try to convince you that this is necessary to settle your claim. This isn’t true.
The real reason the insurance company wants to get you to give a recorded statement is to trick you into saying something that can be used to dispute your claim. Even if you're careful and have nothing to hide, you could inadvertently make inconsistent statements or say something that hurts your case.
8. Don't Give Them Access to Your Medical Records
The adjuster could also request that you sign a release allowing them to get your medical records. While it’s true that they'll need information pertaining to your injuries, you should never allow the insurance company unrestricted access to your medical records.
They don't need your entire medical history to settle your claim. However, an insurer might want to search your medical records for any type of information that gives it grounds to reduce your compensation.
9. Don't Accept a Settlement Offer
If the insurance adjuster knows you have a strong claim, they may offer to settle matters quickly. Never agree to this. Early settlement offers are often much lower than what you deserve.
Additionally, never accept any offer without first consulting a bicycle accident lawyer. You have no idea whether the amount is fair. Attorney Max Meyers has helped bicycle accident victims since 1997 and has experience fully evaluating and trying these cases to know how much your claim is really worth.
10. Take Notes
Document every conversation you have with an insurer, and ask for clarification on certain points during the call, if necessary. This not only helps you remember the conversation but also provides your attorney with additional information.
How Max Meyers Law Helps You With Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Before talking to an adjuster, contact Max Meyers Law. Our team determines how the at-fault driver caused your bicycle accident, which could have included violations of Washington's Vulnerable User Law designed to protect you as a cyclist.
Here's how we’ll also help you deal with the insurance company:
- Take over communications. This allows you to focus on recovery instead of worrying about whether you’re saying the right thing or what information an adjuster wants from you.
- Protect your rights. Our team is dedicated to helping accident victims injured in bicycle and other motor vehicle accidents and will protect your rights throughout the settlement process. Read this testimonial by a satisfied bicycle accident victim and their resolution.
- Negotiate your settlement. We have the skills to manage settlement discussions with the insurance company to pursue the rightful compensation you deserve. Try your case. If necessary, we won’t hesitate to litigate your claim and argue your case at a jury trial.
Curious about what else you should know about your bicycle accident claim and how to protect your rights? Download our free book, Bicycle Accident Secrets Unlocked, today!
