5 Tips for Ensuring Your First Phone Call with an Insurance Adjuster Goes Smoothly
If you sustain injuries in a motor vehicle collision that was not your fault, you can expect to receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance adjuster within a matter of days because South Carolina is a tort liability state. Although it is wise to let your lawyer do the talking, you may answer the phone without knowing who is on the other end.
In such a scenario, it is essential to avoid saying anything that might jeopardize your claim or limit the amount of compensation to which you may be entitled. Otherwise, you may be unable to recover a settlement that covers all the damages you have incurred.
If you were hurt in a car accident with a drunk, distracted, or reckless driver and you want a Greenville personal injury attorney to negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf, turn to Upstate Lawyer. Doug Churdar takes great pleasure in helping people set their lives in order after serious injuries. Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation.
Read on for a few tips for ensuring your first phone call with an insurance adjuster goes smoothly:
- Get All Relevant Contact Information
Since multiple people at the agency will likely have a hand in resolving your claim—and each one may tell you something different—it is essential to get the name and phone number of everyone whom you talk to throughout the proceedings. During the initial phone call, you should also confirm which insurance company the adjuster is working for and which party he or she represents.
- Give Limited Personal Information
Although you have every right to ask the adjuster about his or her position at the agency, that does not mean you have to reveal much about yourself. Avoid giving the insurance adjuster any more information than he or she likely already has, like your name, phone number, and mailing address. Your lawyer can share any additional personal information as needed so long as it is pertinent to the case.
- Do Not Provide a Statement
The adjuster will probably try to coax you into providing a statement on the accident or the extent of your injuries. Avoid doing either. Remain polite but firm, and state that you wish to talk to your attorney before delving into the specifics of the case with anyone who represents the opposing party.
- Take Notes During the Conversation
If the call catches you off-guard, put the adjuster on hold in order to get a notebook. Then, take notes during the conversation so you can reiterate its contents to your lawyer.
- Do Not Agree to Recording the Conversation
The adjuster may ask to record the conversation and may even claim that doing so will protect your best interests during the claims process; however, you should not agree to recording anything. Correcting or expanding upon anything in a recorded conversation is incredibly challenging, and you do not need any additional hurdles during the claims process.
If you sustained injuries in a motor vehicle collision and are expecting a call from the insurance adjuster any day now, turn to Upstate Lawyer. Mr. Churdar will negotiate with the opposing party on your behalf so you can focus on your health.
Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a case evaluation with a car accident lawyer in Greenville. If you want to learn more about car accident claims in South Carolina, visit USAttorneys.com.
