CRASH! What Not to Say to a Tennessee Insurance Adjustor

By Thomas Greer | January 25, 2015

If you have been involved in a serious Tennessee car crash, events begin to occur quickly. First, the police, paramedics and doctors rush to your aid. Then, usually soon thereafter, the insurance adjustor arrives on the scene.

At this point, be careful! What you say and do will have a huge impact on any claims you may make when you have had time to heal and think straight again. Let a Memphis car accident attorney offer some good advice. To help you, we have prepared a list.

Top Ten Things NOT to Say to a Tennessee Insurance Adjustor

  1. Do not agree to have your conversation taped. You may be asked if it is okay for the adjustor to tape your remarks. It may even be presented to you as “routine”. Then, once the tape is rolling, the adjustor may try to get you to discuss the accident in detail. Don’t do it.
  2. Do not provide any unnecessary information about the accident. Giving the date and time is fine. The type of accident and place it occurred are also acceptable. But if the adjustor tries to get any other details, simply and politely say you will discuss the other information at an “appropriate time”.
  3. Do not provide any unnecessary personal information. The adjustor needs only to know your name, address and phone information. You do not need to provide any other information about your job, work hours, personal life or social security number.
  4. Do not talk to an adjustor without a pen and paper in hand. You should write down notes during or after any and all conversations you have, whether by phone or in person. Always get the name, address, phone number and company from anyone you speak to.
  5. Do not sign anything. By doing so, you may be waiving rights to future lawsuits and greatly reduce the compensation you deserve. You may receive forms in the mail from the other person’s insurance company that are called “normal” or “routine” when, in fact, they are asking for access to information you are not obligated to share.
  6. Do not accept unclear information. One favorite trick is to play “adjustor musical chairs”, in which several adjustors are involved in your claim and the buck is passed. They may also reassign the claim to further muddy the waters.
  7. Do not answer when an early offer is made. Silence is golden. For instance, if you are offered $10,000 to settle before all the facts about your case are in, you may be tempted to accept. DON’T! Just say you will think about it and end the conversation.
  8. Do not discuss your claim at inconvenient times. Another trick insurance adjustors have learned is to call you just before you leave for work, or at dinnertime. Their hope is that you will be in a hurry and accept their offer.
  9. Do not let your adjustor spend your money for you. If you are offered $2,000 and reminded that it could pay for a new big screen TV, look out. Focus on the money, not what it can buy.
  10. Do not discuss the details of your injuries. Doing so can harm your claim for compensation later. Maybe you have yet to discover the extent of your medical problems or perhaps you do not yet know how severe the injuries are. Also, never share medical information or your doctor’s names.

In the end, you will need a Memphis car accident attorney to get the best possible compensation for your serious Tennessee auto crash. Do not settle for anyone but the best. Call Bailey & Greer today toll-free at 901-680-9777.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Library