5 things you should never tell an insurance adjuster in Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL – First, let us dispel a common misconception. The insurance adjuster is not your friend. You’re not on the same side. When you notify your insurer about an accident, the insurance adjuster may seem sympathetic and full of understanding. It’s all part of their job. Minimizing the value of your claim is also part of their job!
Since Florida is a no-fault state, when you’re injured in an accident, you’ll first recover damages under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy. If you sustain severe injuries, you’ll probably have to file a personal injury claim against the other driver’s policy and this is where things get complicated.
Here are the three things you should never say to an insurance adjuster if you don’t want to compromise the chances of getting full compensation for your injuries.
Never say “I’m fine”
You may get a surprise call from the insurance company representing the other driver. They’ve been notified of the crash as well and they want to assess the situation. Are you going to seek damages from them? How are you is a routine question and you may be tempted to give a routine answer, especially as you’re talking to a stranger. Never say you’re fine or well enough, or anything similar. Maybe you’re resting comfy in bed at that precise moment. The insurance adjuster doesn’t need to know that. You’re the victim and you must present yourself as such.
Don’t venture a diagnostic
Keep it vague. Don’t tell them exactly what the doctor said or what you believe is the matter. What you can say is that you’ll have more tests to determine what’s wrong. Keep in mind they’ll write down whatever you tell them. If, later on, you file a claim for spine damage, they will act very surprised. ‘I thought you said you had a strained muscle?’
Don’t say you’re no longer on pain medication
Or whatever treatment the doctors prescribed. Remember that you’re the patient here and you must follow the doctor’s orders. If the doctor ordered bed rest, you should not be taking the dog for a walk or having coffee by the pool with your best friend. Also, make sure you don’t post anything like that on your social media. The insurance adjuster will be looking into that and they will ask how come you want pain and suffering damages when you were clearly well enough to have guests two weeks after the accident.
Don’t mention pre-existing medical problems
Let’s say you were already plagued by back pain before the accident. Millions of Americans are struggling with such problems. If you mention that, the insurance adjuster will argue that the pain you’re experiencing now is caused by your pre-existing health issues, not the crash.
Don’t admit to any part of the blame
The no-fault rule applies only as far as getting damages under your PIP. Once you file a claim against the other driver’s insurance, you’ll be doing that under the comparative negligence rule.
According to this rule, your damages can be reduced by a percentage corresponding to your share of the blame. Don’t mention that you were a bit distracted by your kid crying in the backseat or by a text message you had just received from your boss. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
If you were recently injured in an accident in the Daytona Beach area, schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer at Pappas & Russell PA, and let them help you with your claim.
Contact info
213 Silver Beach Avenue
Daytona Beach, Florida 32118
Phone: (386) 254-2941
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