Sometimes the phone rings within a day or two of a crash. The voice on the other end is friendly and wants to hear what happened. It's an insurance adjuster.
Adjusters can be perfectly polite. Just remember who they work for: the insurance company. Their job is to protect its money, and what you say on that call can shape what you're offered later.
You don't have to talk right now
It's fine to take their name and number and say you'll call back. Taking a day to collect your thoughts, and your records, is reasonable.
Hold off on a recorded statement
YourLegal.app gives the same advice at the scene: don't give a recorded statement to any insurance company, not even yours, until you've spoken with an attorney. You can simply say: “I'll be speaking with an attorney first.”
Don't say “I'm fine”
Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take time to show up. If you haven't seen a doctor yet, say so: “I need to be checked by a doctor.”
Don't guess, and don't apologize
Speed, distance, who saw what: if you're not sure, don't estimate. And skip “I'm sorry,” even to be polite. It can be heard as admitting fault.
Don't rush to accept an offer
A quick offer can arrive before you know what your injuries and repairs will really cost. Don't sign anything until you understand what you're agreeing to.
Write it down
Keep a note of who called, when, and what they asked. It helps you, and anyone who helps you later.
Let your records do the talking
Photos, witness names, and your own account from the scene make it harder for anyone to question what happened. If you choose, YourLegal.app can send your report to an attorney in our network. If you hire them, they can deal with the insurance company for you.
General information, not legal advice. YourLegal.app is not a law firm. Disclaimer
