What I Wish More People Knew Before Talking to an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident
One of the first things that can happen after a car accident is a call from an insurance adjuster.
For someone who has never dealt with an injury claim before, that call can be uncomfortable.
You may wonder:
What am I supposed to say?
Am I going to say something wrong?
Do I have to answer every question?
What if I don’t know the answer?
After years of representing people injured in accidents, there are a few things I wish more people understood before picking up the phone.
I’m Andrew Calandro, founder of Calandro Law. This isn’t about being suspicious of every insurance adjuster. Adjusters have a job to do, and investigating an accident is part of that job.
It’s about understanding your own position and making thoughtful decisions when you’re dealing with an unfamiliar process.
Key Takeaways
- You don’t need to be hostile or defensive when talking to an insurance adjuster.
- Be truthful, but don’t guess when you don’t know an answer.
- Don’t minimize injuries simply because you initially feel okay.
- Be cautious about recorded statements concerning an injury claim.
- Don’t feel pressured to accept a settlement before you understand your injuries and losses.
- Good documentation can make a complicated claim easier to understand.
You Don’t Have to Be Afraid of the Insurance Adjuster
Let’s start there.
You don’t need to be afraid of the person calling you.
You also don’t need to be angry with them.
An insurance adjuster is doing a job. Their job is to investigate claims and evaluate them on behalf of the insurance company.
My advice is to approach the conversation calmly and professionally.
You can be courteous without assuming that the adjuster is your advocate.
Those are two different things.
The Adjuster Is Doing a Job
This is an important distinction.
If the other driver’s insurance company calls you, the adjuster is representing that insurance company.
That doesn’t mean the adjuster is trying to trick you.
It simply means you should understand who they work for.
The same principle applies to any professional involved in your claim: understand their role before assuming they are advising you.
You Don’t Need to Have All the Answers
People sometimes feel like they need to have a perfect account of everything that happened.
You don’t.
Immediately after an accident, you may not remember every detail.
If you don’t know something, say that you don’t know.
If you don’t remember, say that you don’t remember.
You don’t need to estimate the speed of another vehicle simply because someone asks you to.
A guess can create confusion later.
An honest “I don’t know” is better than an inaccurate answer.
Don’t Minimize Your Injuries
This is something I see people struggle with.
After an accident, it’s common to say something like:
“I’m okay.”
Sometimes you genuinely are.
Other times, you’re simply trying to get through the immediate situation.
You may not know yet how your body is going to feel the next day—or the day after that.
If you have pain or other symptoms, don’t minimize them when speaking with your doctor or discussing your condition.
And don’t exaggerate them either.
Just be accurate.
Be Careful With Recorded Statements
An insurance company may ask you to provide a recorded statement.
Whether you are required to do so depends on the circumstances and the applicable insurance policy.
If you’re being asked for a recorded statement about an injury claim, I generally recommend that people understand what they’re being asked and consider getting legal advice before proceeding.
Again, this isn’t about hiding information.
It’s about making sure you understand the process before creating a permanent recording of your account.
Don’t Feel Pressured to Settle Quickly
Sometimes people hear an insurance company’s settlement offer and think:
“This sounds like a lot of money. Maybe I should just take it.”
Other times, they’re dealing with medical bills and missed work and simply want the situation behind them.
I understand that.
But before accepting a settlement, you should understand what you’re settling.
If you are still treating for an injury, you may not know how your recovery will progress.
You may not know whether you’ll need additional treatment.
You may not yet understand the full impact of the accident on your work or daily life.
An early offer isn’t necessarily a bad offer. But it shouldn’t automatically be accepted simply because it arrives early.
Documentation Matters
One of the most helpful things you can do after an accident is keep good records.
That includes:
- Medical records
- Bills
- Photographs
- Insurance correspondence
- Work records
- Prescription information
- Accident reports
- Witness information
- Notes about your symptoms and recovery
You don’t need to create a complicated system.
Keep things organized and save what you receive.
Good documentation helps everyone understand what happened.
Take Your Time
There’s a natural tendency to want everything resolved quickly after an accident.
You want your car fixed.
You want to know whether your medical bills will be covered.
You want to know how much your claim is worth.
You want to move on.
Those are completely understandable feelings.
But rushing through the process can create problems.
Take the time to understand what happened, what injuries you’re dealing with, what insurance coverage may apply, and what options you have. Florida’s no-fault insurance system may also affect how medical expenses and lost income are handled after a crash.
What I Want Clients to Understand
If I could give someone one piece of advice before their first conversation with an insurance adjuster, it would be this:
You don’t need to have everything figured out on day one.
Focus on getting the medical attention you need.
Document what happened.
Keep your records.
Be honest.
And don’t allow someone else’s sense of urgency to become your urgency.
If your accident involves serious injuries, disputed fault, or a complicated insurance situation, get advice from someone who can evaluate your specific circumstances.
Why You May Need Legal Representation
Not everyone who gets a call from an insurance adjuster needs an attorney.
But if you’ve suffered significant injuries or the claim has become complicated, legal guidance can help you understand what comes next.
An attorney can communicate with insurance companies, investigate the accident, gather evidence, evaluate the applicable insurance coverage, and help you determine whether a settlement offer makes sense in light of your circumstances.
The goal is to make sure you understand your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be worried if an insurance adjuster calls me?
You don’t need to be afraid of the adjuster, but you should understand that an adjuster for the other driver’s insurer is representing the insurance company’s interests.
What if I don’t know the answer to an adjuster’s question?
Say that you don’t know. Don’t guess simply because you feel like you need to provide an answer.
What if I initially told the adjuster I was fine?
If symptoms develop later, be honest about when you noticed them and seek appropriate medical care.
Should I give a recorded statement?
Whether you are required to provide one depends on the circumstances. If you’re being asked for a recorded statement about an injury claim, consider speaking with an attorney first.
Should I accept an early settlement offer?
Before accepting, make sure you understand your injuries, treatment, expenses, and what rights you may be giving up by settling.
Riverview resource: If the crash happened in Riverview, see our Riverview car accident lawyer page for local information and next steps.
Conclusion
After a car accident, it’s easy to feel like everyone else knows what to do except you.
You don’t need to have all the answers immediately.
Take care of yourself. Document what happened. Be truthful. Keep good records. And don’t let pressure push you into decisions before you’re ready to make them.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida car accident and aren’t sure how to handle the insurance process, Calandro Law can help you understand your options.
