What you say to insurance adjusters after a car accident can directly impact the outcome of your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained professionals whose goal is to protect their company's bottom line — not to help you get fair compensation. Here's what you need to know.
What You Should Say
There are some basic facts you should provide to insurance adjusters:
- Your name and contact information
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The basic facts of what happened (without speculation)
- That you have retained or plan to retain an attorney
What You Should NOT Say
Be very careful about the following:
- "I'm fine" or "I wasn't hurt that badly." Adrenaline can mask pain. Many injuries develop over hours or days. Never downplay your condition.
- Apologizing or accepting fault. Even a casual "I'm sorry" can be interpreted as an admission of liability.
- Speculating about what happened. Stick to what you know — don't guess about speed, visibility, or cause.
- Agreeing to a recorded statement. You are not legally required to give one to the other driver's insurance. Politely decline.
- Accepting the first settlement offer. Early offers are almost always below what your claim is worth — especially before the full extent of your injuries is known.
What to Do Instead
The safest approach after an accident is to limit your communication with insurance companies and let an attorney handle it. When you have legal representation:
- All communications go through your attorney
- You're protected from making statements that could harm your case
- Your attorney can negotiate from a position of strength
Don't Wait to Get Help
The insurance company moves quickly after an accident. So should you. Contact Persinger & Persinger for a free consultation today. We'll guide you through every step of the process and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.