After a car accident, insurance companies send an adjuster to evaluate the scene and determine what happened. These professionals are meant to conduct an unbiased assessment of liability and damages, but they often have the company’s best interests in mind, rather than your own.

If you’re involved in a car wreck, knowing what to say when an adjuster calls can protect your rights to compensation for your injuries. While it’s best to let a qualified Alabama car accident lawyer handle all communications with insurers, the following tips can help you navigate the conversion if you don’t have representation yet.

Don’t Admit Fault

When speaking with an adjuster after an auto accident, avoid making any statements that could be seen as admitting fault. Comments like “I should have been paying more attention” or “I’m sorry about what happened” could be misconstrued as an acknowledgment of liability.

In Alabama, you’re barred from seeking compensation if you’re even 1% at fault, so it’s crucial not to admit guilt to protect your rights.

What to Say:

Focus on accurately describing the incident and your actions without assigning blame. Say things like “I was traveling at the posted speed limit” or “I had the right of way when the collision occurred.” These statements provide straightforward, factual information that allows the insurer to assess the situation without prematurely assigning fault.

Don’t Talk About Your Injuries

When discussing the incident with an auto insurer, be cautious when commenting on injuries, especially if you’re unsure of their extent. Avoid going into specifics or speculating about your injuries, for instance, saying something like “It feels like just a sprain” or “I think it’s nothing serious.”

Initial assessments of your physical condition can change, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent or could worse over time without immediate treatment.

What to Say:

Politely answer the adjuster by saying, “I’m having my injuries evaluated by a medical professional” or “I would have to refer to my medical records for an accurate answer.” This ensures that your claim remains open to accommodate any medical findings accurately.

Don’t Lie or Exaggerate

When detailing the damages to your vehicle to the insurance adjuster, do not exaggerate or lie about the extent of your injuries and damages. Statements like “My car is completely totaled” when it only has minor damages or “I can’t work at all” when you have some mobility can jeopardize the legitimacy of your current claim and affect your credibility overall.

What to Say:

Provide a factual and straightforward description of the damages. You can say, “I have documented the damages and am waiting for a professional assessment,” or “I will provide a detailed list of the damages based on the repair shop’s evaluation.” These statements maintain your claim’s integrity and facilitate a fair assessment by the insurance company.

Don’t Understate Downplay Your Injuries

Do not downplay your injuries or associated damages when talking to your insurance adjuster. Minimizing the accident’s impact, such as saying, “I’m not that hurt; it’s just a few scratches,” or “The car looks bad, but it’s probably fine,” can lead to insufficient coverage for your needs.

What to Say:

Provide a clear but reserved overview of the situation. Use phrases like, “I’m waiting for a full assessment by my attorney” or “I plan to have everything evaluated professionally to ensure accuracy” to communicate the potential seriousness of the incident while keeping the claim open for adjustments based on professional evaluations.

Don’t Guess About Fault or Make Accusations

When discussing the incident with an adjuster, avoid speculating who was at fault or directly accusing the other party. Phrases like “They were 100% at fault” or “They were not paying attention and caused the crash” can complicate the claims process. Accusations may imply your lawsuit is retaliatory rather than compensatory, and make adjustors more suspicious of your claims.

Furthermore, fault is a complex determination that involves analyzing all available evidence and legal doctrines.

What to Say:

Stay neutral in your communication with the adjuster. You can say, “I’ve provided all the evidence from my perspective” or “I’ll leave the determination of fault to the investigation.” This helps maintain a professional and unbiased stance, allowing the insurance company and your attorney to conduct a thorough and fair assessment based on the facts.

Protect Your Rights With Tyler Mann Injury Law

After a collision with another vehicle, you may feel overwhelmed and confused about what you should and shouldn’t say. If you speak with an insurance adjuster, remember to stay calm, impartial, and factual. However, to protect your interests, the best course of action is to contact a skilled attorney to handle all communications.

Our team at Tyler Mann Injury Law can help protect your rights after a crash, ensuring adjusters don’t use your statements against you to deny compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can begin representing your interests and help you win your claim.