Accidents are overwhelming and traumatic experiences and, unfortunately, the problems rarely end afterward. One of the first phone calls you will likely receive after being involved in a motor vehicle accident is from the insurance adjuster who represents the company of the at-fault party. While he or she might sound friendly, it is important to keep in mind that the insurance adjuster is not your friend and is not trying to help you. Instead, the goal is to ensure you receive little to no compensation for your injuries. In order to achieve this, he or she will do whatever it takes to get certain harmful statements out of you that can derail your case.
To ensure you are able to safely navigate any conversations you might have with the insurance adjuster, we have compiled a list of things you should never say to him or her:
- “In my opinion” statements: When you start guessing and giving your opinion, you can easily land yourself in some hot water. If you are not sure about a question and know you cannot give a solid, factual answer, it is best to not say anything at all. In an attempt to get you to answer these questions anyway, you can expect the adjuster to ask them n several different ways to glean an answer he or she knows will hurt your case. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to not say anything beyond basic facts when speaking to an insurance adjuster.
- “It was my fault” statements: If you apologize for the accident or say that you believe it was your fault, it can be used against you later, completely destroying your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve and need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more. For many, apologizing even when something is not their fault feels only natural, but it is imperative that you do not apologize or admit fault. Let everyone do their jobs and investigate the cause of the accident instead of rushing to accept blame for something that might not even be your fault.
- “I am not hurt” statements: It is not uncommon for the symptoms of an injury to appear much later. The adrenalin and shock that you experience in the immediate aftermath of an accident might prevent you from feeling the pain of your injuries. Make sure that, regardless of what you are feeling you seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent any of your injuries from worsening and to begin a paper trail that proves you sought medical help for your injuries. However, do not sign a medical release without speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney.
- Recorded statements: The insurance adjuster will also likely ask you for a recorded statement. He or she might even make you feel obligated to provide one, but you are under no such obligation, so politely decline to give a recorded statement. Providing a recorded statement will only harm your claim.
Reach Out to a Knowledgeable Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney
If you sustained an injury in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, you have the right to pursue fair and just compensation and will need a skilled attorney on your side to ensure your success. At Percy Law Group, PC, our team of personal injury attorneys in Massachusetts is backed by over 100 years of combined legal experience, which we will use to your advantage. You should not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes.
Start your personal injury case today and reach out to our team at (508) 206-9900 to request a free initial consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.