Be Prepared: Common Insurance Adjuster Questions After an Acciden
A recent survey revealed that a large percentage of Insurance adjusters experience mental health issues while working on claims. Insurance adjusters also cause their fair share of stress. If you’re ever forced to speak with one following an accident, don’t be surprised if your anxiety levels suddenly spike.
Learning about the common insurance adjuster questions you will likely face is an effective way to keep stress under control. Check out a few questions you may have to answer in the aftermath of an accident below.
If possible, always speak with an experienced personal injury attorney BEFORE speaking with any insurance company. The insurance company is NOT your friend. They are looking for ways to deny or minimize your claim.
Questions About an Accident
When an insurance adjuster first contacts you, they will often start by asking general questions about your accident. They will do this to gather accident details that help them paint a clearer picture of how it played out.
Questions they may ask at this point will include:
- When did your accident occur?
- Where did it take place?
- Who was involved?
- What were the conditions like?
- Can you discuss what happened from your perspective?
This line of questioning serves as a fact-finding mission for an insurance adjuster. If you choose to speak with the adjuster: (1) stick to the facts; (2) never speculate or offer opinion, and (3) never admit blame or responsibility for any part of the accident.
Questions About an Accident’s Impact
Once you’ve provided an insurance adjuster with a basic breakdown of your accident, they will ask about its impact. They will seek information on how an accident has affected you physically, mentally, and financially.
Questions an insurance adjuster will ask during this part of may discussion will include:
- Were you injured during your accident? If so, what injuries did you suffer?
- How serious were the injuries you sustained?
- Do you have medical records to back up your injury claims?
- Did your accident cause any property damage? If so, how much?
- Has your accident impacted your life in any other ways?
The fact is that you very well might not understand the extent of your injuries or their impact when the insurance adjuster first contacts you, so if anything, just report that you sustained injuries, you sought treatment, and are currently being treated. Any further details should be provided by your attorney going forward.
Questions About Accident Liability
Determining liability is one of the biggest parts of an insurance adjuster’s job. Keep in mind that an insurance adjuster’s goal is to minimize payouts. Getting you to assume some level of responsibility for the accident reduces the insurance company’s exposure and helps to achieve that goal.
To do this, an insurance adjuster will ask questions designed to help them perform a liability assessment. These questions might include:
- What do you think caused your accident?
- Who do you feel is ultimately to blame for it?
- Do you know of anyone who can provide witness statements about your accident?
These common insurance adjuster questions, like those that came before are open ended and designed to trip you up and get you to admit at least partial blame. Don’t fall for it.
How To Handle Answering Questions From an Insurance Adjuster
The best way to handle communication with an insurance adjuster is to have them speak with your attorney. If you do find yourself on the phone with an adjuster, take a deep breath and keep the following tips in mind:
- Provide only the basic facts about the accident: Who, when, and where along with a brief initial description of the injuries you sustained.
- Steer clear of admitting fault for the accident.
- Ask the adjuster for their contact information and let them know that you will have your attorney contact them.
You should contact a personal injury attorney to help handle insurance adjuster questions. They can provide the necessary representation and ensure you don’t say anything to an insurance adjuster that could hurt your personal injury case.
Contact Us To Learn More About Dealing With Insurance Adjuster Questions
Working with a personal injury lawyer is a great way to minimize the stress associated with answering the common insurance adjuster questions we’ve listed here. It’s also a great way to help achieve maximum compensation from the party responsible for your accident and subsequent injuries.
Lyons & Snyder can help you prepare personal injury claim documentation and handle insurance adjuster questions. Call us at 954-627-1779 to hear more about our legal services. The consultation is always free.
