How Can Speaking With The Insurance Company Affect My Personal Injury Claim?
After an accident, it might feel natural to pick up the phone when the insurance company calls. But that first conversation can do more harm than good if you’re not careful. At Farese, Farese, & Farese, P.A., we’ve seen how early contact with insurance adjusters can put innocent people at a disadvantage. If you’ve been injured in Ashland or Oxford, Mississippi, we strongly recommend speaking with a personal injury attorney before talking to the other party’s insurance company.
Insurance adjusters are trained to limit the company’s liability. That means reducing what they pay you – even when your claim is legitimate.
Why Talking To An Insurance Adjuster Can Hurt Your Claim
Insurance adjusters may sound helpful, but their job is to protect the company’s bottom line. From the moment they contact you, they’re gathering information they can later use to dispute or devalue your claim.
Here are a few common insurance adjuster tactics in personal injury cases:
- Asking for a recorded statement early: They might say it’s just routine, but recorded statements can be used against you. If you misspeak, leave something out or sound uncertain, that audio can be used later to challenge your credibility.
- Getting you to admit partial fault: Even saying something as simple as “I didn’t see the other car” can be twisted into an admission of negligence. These casual remarks can have real consequences under Mississippi’s comparative fault laws.
- Minimizing your injuries: Adjusters may ask how you’re feeling in a friendly tone – hoping you’ll say, “I’m fine.” But that statement can be used to argue that your injuries are not serious, even if symptoms worsen days later.
- Pushing for quick settlement: They may offer a fast payout before you’ve had a chance to understand the full extent of your injuries or the value of your claim. Once you accept, you can’t go back for more – even if new medical costs arise.
Each of these tactics is designed to limit the company’s financial exposure. That’s why what you say early on can have lasting effects on your case.
What Not To Say To The Insurance Company After An Accident
When speaking with an insurance adjuster, even the most innocent statements can cause problems. Here are a few things you should avoid saying:
- “I’m sorry” or anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault
- “I feel okay” or “I don’t think I need to see a doctor”
- Guesses about what happened (“I think they were speeding”)
- Details about your activities or daily routine since the accident
- Acceptance of a settlement without reviewing it with an attorney
The best approach is to politely decline to give any statements until you’ve spoken with legal counsel. We can step in to handle communication and make sure nothing you say is used to hurt your case.
How An Attorney Protects Your Personal Injury Claim
When you work with us, we act as a buffer between you and the insurance company. Here’s what that means in practice:
- We handle all conversations with the adjuster so you don’t have to.
- We make sure your medical records and evidence are presented clearly and accurately.
- We calculate the full value of your claim, including future expenses and noneconomic damages.
- We negotiate from a position of strength, so you’re not pressured into an unfair settlement.
We know the tactics insurance companies use. More importantly, we know how to push back.
Don’t Let A Phone Call Undermine Your Recovery
Insurance companies may seem helpful at first, but they are not on your side. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, don’t let a quick conversation derail your claim. Let us protect your rights from day one.
Call our office today at 662-736-1292 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve clients in Ashland and Oxford, Mississippi, and we’re ready to stand up for you.