If you are involved in an accident in California and have reason to deal with an insurance adjuster, it is important to know what to say and what not to say. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we recommend that you talk to a personal injury attorney before you talk to the insurance adjuster. Additionally, keep reading to know the three most important factors to consider when dealing with an insurance adjuster.
- Never Agree to Record Your Conversation
- Stick to the Facts When Discussing Your Accident
- Do Not Sign Any Medical Release Forms, Statements, Etc.
It is likely that an insurance adjuster is going to try to deny, lower, or delay your insurance claim. They may use any number of tactics to do so, including trying to catch you in an inaccuracy. This does not have to be a major point – it could be the difference between telling the police you were going 35 miles per hour and telling the insurance company you think you were going “about 35 miles an hour.” Do not let them record any statement without first talking to an attorney.
Yes, you need to give a statement to the insurance company but you do not have to say anything more than the basic facts. Do not guess if you do not know the answer. If they ask you how fast you were going, tell them that you were not looking at your speedometer at the time of the accident. If they ask you if it looked cloudy, tell them you are not going to give them opinions. On the other hand, if they ask if you were injured you can give them the diagnosis your doctor has given you – but do not give additional information.
If you are asked to sign a medical release form, any type of statement, or any type of settlement offer, tell them that you need to talk to your attorney first. Bring it to use so that we can review it. Unless they provide you a court order, you do not have to provide anything without first talking to us. Even with a court order, you have a right to an attorney. We recommend not signing anything because if you sign the wrong document, you could be signing away your right to sue.
Call Us Now and We Can Help
You are not in this alone. If you have suffered a significant injury in an accident, then you should talk to an attorney. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we are happy to get you started with a free legal consultation. Call us at 800-333-0000 to speak to a legal professional who can help you better analyze the options available to you.
