When someone gets injured in an accident, the first thing they do is call their insurance company/insurance adjuster. They ask for help with filing a claim.
After the adjuster has done his job, he/she may send you a letter saying “We’ve reviewed your case and we’re going to deny your claim.”
I speak with clients all the time who have received calls from the insurance adjuster after their accident. They have already given a recorded statement about their accident and injuries before they have called us.
These recorded statements are hazardous because the adjuster, who has done these interviews hundreds of times knows just what questions to ask, is always looking for a reason to deny coverage or get you to agree to something that may not be true, or to something that is even damaging to your case.
What you say in an unguarded moment may literally turn a good case into a denial. My message to anyone who has been injured by the negligence of another is to consult a lawyer before speaking to an insurance adjuster. We know what questions are going to be asked and can prepare you for these conversations and help you avoid saying anything that could potentially undermine your claim.
Regardless of what kind of injury you have sustained, I recommend declining to speak with the adjuster until you have spoken with an attorney who has helped you go over the questions that will be asked.
Insurance Companies May Be Insolvent
The insurance adjuster may be insolvent. This means he/she doesn’t have enough money to pay out claims. So, when you talk to him/her, keep this in mind.
If you’re injured at work, you should contact your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company
This is important because if the adjuster isn’t solvent, you won’t get paid. And if you don’t get paid, you won’t get the medical care you need. So, if you decide to take the settlement, make sure you understand the implications of accepting a lower amount than you’re entitled to.
If you’ve been injured at work, you may want to contact a workers’ compensation attorney right away. An attorney can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and negotiate a settlement with your employer.
Personal injury lawyers handle cases involving injuries sustained due to negligence, including car accidents, slip and falls, defective products, and medical malpractice. They may also represent clients who were not involved in an accident but suffered injuries because of another person’s actions.
The most important thing to remember when contacting a personal injury lawyer is to be honest and open with them. Don’t lie about the details of your case, and don’t try to hide anything. Your lawyer needs to know everything about your situation to properly advise you.
Don’t risk your claim being denied because of what you said in a vulnerable moment. If you have been injured in an accident, give Oxner + Permar a call for a free consultation before you speak with an adjuster.
