If you’re in a serious car accident with damages that exceed the $50,000 limit of New York State’s no-fault laws, you’ll likely receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster. Here’s what you should—and shouldn’t—say when the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you about the accident.
Provide Limited Personal Information
You only need to provide your full name, address, and telephone number to an insurance adjuster. Avoid providing any details about your occupation, income, or day-to-day schedule. Remain calm when speaking with the representative and ask them to identify themself before providing any information. Make sure they tell you their name and the insurance company they represent.
Do Not Provide a Statement Regarding the Accident
After a car accident, you’ll have to provide a statement and file a report with the police, but you don’t have to provide any details or a statement about the collision’s circumstances to the insurance adjuster. They may strike up a casual conversation to get you to unknowingly tell them additional information. You can politely refuse to discuss any details other than the accident’s time and location by stating that the authorities are still investigating the incident.
Avoid Discussing Your Injuries
Along with not talking about the accident itself, avoid mentioning the extent of your injuries to the other party’s insurance representatives. There’s a chance you may unintentionally leave something out during a recorded statement. Plus, a doctor may discover additional injuries during a medical visit that takes place after this conversation.
Resist the Urge to Settle Immediately
In some cases, the insurance adjuster or representative may try to negotiate a settlement with you over the phone. It can be tempting to accept a quick check, but this might only be a fraction of the compensation you could recover by working with an experienced personal injury attorney. You should get a full medical evaluation and speak to a lawyer to understand the full scope of your injuries and how much your claim may be worth.
Call Leav & Steinberg to Represent You
If you’ve suffered injuries after an auto accident in New York, contact Leav & Steinberg LLP. With offices in Manhattan and the Bronx, our multilingual staff is happy to assist you, and we won’t charge you attorney fees until we win your case. For years, we’ve helped our clients receive the compensation they need to cover their medical bills and lost wages. To schedule a free consultation with our attorneys, call 212-766-5222 today.
