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How should I deal with insurance adjusters who contact me about my claim?

How is a car accident different from a tractor-trailer accident? When do I need an injury lawyer in West Virginia? Where can I get a free consultation? Get answers to your questions at the Miley Legal Group FAQ page. Our experienced attorneys have provided up-to-date responses for the most common questions following a personal injury.

A: After an accident, you will likely hear from an insurance adjuster about your potential claim. In fact, you may be dealing with insurance adjusters from your insurance company as well as the other party (or parties) involved in your accident.

The insurance adjuster's job is to protect the interests of their company and either deny your claim or get you to accept the lowest possible settlement for your injuries and other damages.

Keep Track of All Your Communication with the Insurance Adjuster

When talking with an insurance adjuster make note of:

The name of the insurance adjuster;
The name of the company for which the adjuster works;
The address of the company;
The adjuster's phone number; and
The date and time of the conversation.

In addition, take detailed notes of the discussion that you are having. You should also record this information for any in-person meetings you have with an insurance adjuster and be sure to include what information was discussed.

The insurance company may also send you letters or emails. Always keep any correspondence from the insurance adjuster as well as copies of any letters or emails you send to them. All of this information will be important to your Clarksburg personal injury attorney

What should I tell the insurance adjuster?

The insurance adjuster may try to engage you in "small talk" in order to get more information from you than you really need to reveal. Keep to short, straight-forward answers and always ask the insurance adjuster to explain any questions that sound confusing. The information that you can give to the insurance adjuster includes:

Your name and contact information;
The most basic facts of the accident; and
That you are currently undergoing treatment and will provide a report from your doctors in your claim.

What shouldn't I tell the insurance adjuster?

Do not allow the insurance adjuster to record your conversation;
Do not answer any questions about your job, income or family; and
Do not admit any degree of guilt regarding the accident.

Additionally, the insurance adjuster may ask you to fill out paperwork regarding your claim. Never sign any paperwork without having it looked over by your Clarksburg personal injury attorney. This paperwork may release your medical history (outside of your accident injuries) or have you agreeing to a settlement that is too low to address your medical needs.

Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you during this difficult time. Once you hire a Clarksburg personal injury attorney, your lawyer can speak with the insurance adjuster on your behalf, so you never have to worry about saying anything that may damage your claim.

Contacting a Clarksburg Personal Injury Attorney

Unfortunately, car accidents are a regular occurrence on West Virginia roadways such as I-79, I-77, Route 50, Route 33, and I-68. In fact, our state averages over 40,000 car crashes, over 400 deaths, and over 11,000 serious injuries each year. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a West Virginia car accident, order a FREE copy of our consumer guide, The 7 Biggest Mistakes that Can Wreck Your West Virginia Car Accident Claim then contact a Clarksburg personal injury attorney at The Miley Legal Group for a FREE consultation - 304- 326-1800