If you were injured and incurred property damage in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you would likely turn to the at-fault driver’s insurance for compensation. Your goal is to get enough money to cover your medical expenses, repair your damaged car and recoup other costs associated with the accident. However, dealing with any insurance company can be tricky.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. They are focused on protecting their profits. An insurance adjuster’s goal is to pay out as little as possible to settle a claim. As a result, securing a fair settlement can be challenging.
What You Should Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster After an Accident in Georgia? Be careful in your communications with an insurance claims adjuster. Don’t apologize or accept blame for the accident. Don’t say you feel fine. Statements made to an adjuster may be used to minimize or deny your claim. Below, see more of the process involved in a car accident case in Georgia.
While you could deal with the insurance adjuster by yourself, having an experienced car accident lawyer from the law offices of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can greatly increase the likelihood of recovering the compensation you need and getting the resolution you desire.
Below, we will review some tricks that insurance companies use and how best to negotiate a settlement with an insurance adjuster.
What Should I Tell the Insurance Adjuster After a Georgia Accident?
You should report the accident to your auto insurance company promptly. Your policy may require you to report an accident within a certain amount of time. Give the insurance company representative your contact information, such as your name, address, and phone number. Give them the name of the other driver involved and the insurance information for the other driver.
You can also provide the insurance adjuster with limited details regarding the accident such as the accident’s date, time, and location. If there were witnesses to the accident, you may provide the witnesses’ contact information.
Try to keep the conversation brief. If you have already secured an attorney, there is no reason to speak to the insurance adjuster. You can simply refer the adjuster to your lawyer.
There are also a number of things you should not say to an insurance adjuster. Stating any of the following may endanger your claim:
- Never admit fault – Many people will apologize after an accident out of politeness, even if they didn’t cause the accident. Never say things like “I’m sorry” or “I apologize” to the insurance adjuster or anyone else involved in the accident. The insurance company will take this as an admission of fault and could use it to shift the blame to you and deny your claim.
- Never speculate – You should only make statements that you know are accurate. If the insurance adjuster asks a question and you aren’t sure what the answer is, you shouldn’t guess. Just say you don’t know, and stick to the facts as you know them.
- Never say that you feel fine – Even if you don’t believe that you are injured, you should never tell an insurance adjuster or others involved in the crash that you’re fine. You could have sustained injuries that haven’t yet become apparent. You don’t want to do anything to put your claim in jeopardy before you’ve had a chance to be evaluated by a physician.
- Don’t let them take a recorded statement – The insurance adjuster might ask if he or she can record a statement from you. Insurance companies can use anything you say in a recorded statement as evidence against you. They may even take your words out of context to deny your claim. No matter what the insurance adjuster says, you do not have to consent to a recorded statement. You should not give a recorded statement without first consulting your own attorney.
- Don’t offer any unnecessary information – You shouldn’t provide the insurance company with any information they don’t ask for. The insurance company could take any additional details you provide and use them against you to reduce or deny your claim.
- Never say you don’t have legal representation – If the insurance company thinks you don’t have an attorney to represent your interests, the insurer will find it easier to take advantage of you. Accident victims with legal representation are more likely to be taken seriously and be offered a reasonable settlement.
- Never give the insurance company any names – While you can supply the insurance company with your name and witness contact information, you should never give them the names or contact information for your medical provider, family members, or friends. They might contact these individuals as part of their investigation, looking for information to harm your claim.
The best way to protect your claim is to consult with an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney can complete every step of the claims process for you and handle all communications with the insurance company.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Georgia?
It’s impossible to know precisely how much a settlement will be worth without knowing the details of the accident and the value of the resulting losses. The more severe the injury, the greater the compensation you are likely to be eligible to obtain. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to claim compensation for the following:
- Present and future medical expenses resulting from the accident, including hospital bills, physical therapy, tests, prescription medications, and more
- Lost income, if you cannot work while you recover
- Lost earning capacity, if your injuries turn into a disability and you can no longer perform all of your regular job duties
- Vehicle damage
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident
How Do You Negotiate with the Insurance Company After an Accident?
Negotiating with an insurance claims adjuster can be challenging because they are trained to save the insurance company money. They will employ various tactics to reduce or deny your claim.
First, you should go into settlement talks with a calculation of how much you believe your claim is worth. An experienced injury attorney can help you tabulate your financial and non-financial losses and determine the value of your claim.
You should emphasize the known facts of the case that work in your favor. For example, if you sustained a severe injury that left you disabled, you should emphasize your need for long-term care and the accompanying loss in quality of life. If you cannot work due to your injuries, make sure the insurance company knows exactly how much income you’ve lost and how it has negatively impacted your life.
One of the most common tricks insurers use in negotiations, especially if they believe you have a strong case, is to offer a quick settlement that seems generous but is actually far less than the fair value of the case. You should never accept the first settlement offer without speaking to an attorney.
Negotiating with the insurance company can be especially difficult if you are still recovering from your injuries. An attorney can take that burden off your shoulders and handle negotiations for you.
Please note, the state of Georgia has a Statute of Limitations on personal injury claims. You have two years from the time of your accident to file that claim. If you have not done so before those two years have lapsed, you will have lost your opportunity to have that claim heard.
How Can an Attorney Help Me After a Georgia Car Accident?
No attorney can guarantee the outcome of a case. But having an attorney negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf will improve your chances of getting the settlement you need. The Georgia personal injury lawyers at the law office of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies.
Our lawyers will advocate for your interests and fight tirelessly for fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.
