In the aftermath of a car accident in Virginia Beach, you could be left feeling confused, injured, and vulnerable to the complex nature of the legal process. You will be navigating the medical needs that you or a loved one has, the financial toll that an accident takes, and also the legal process that will unfold. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer from Virginia Beach will ensure that your best interests are prioritized and you have someone who you can call to provide you with the guidance to help you succeed.Â
Insurance adjusters have a job to evaluate car accident claims, but their main goal is to limit the insurance company’s financial exposure. It’s vital to understand that insurance adjuster's tactics are designed to negotiate and minimize payouts that could help you and your loved ones. At Virginia Beach Injury Law, our experienced team of attorneys will work on your behalf and stand by your side to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve after a car accident.
The Role of Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters play a pivotal role after a car accident. They review and investigate the claims resulting from the car accident. While they are supposed to do this from an impartial standpoint, they have a primary objective, to fulfill their obligation to represent the insurance company’s financial interests.
Insurance adjusters examine police reports, medical records, and statements from those involved in the accident to understand the extent of the damages and determine the value of the claims. Victims of car accidents will often receive a call from an insurance adjuster as early as the day after an accident to obtain a statement. Speaking to them is not in your best interests, and you are under no obligation to speak with them. Contacting you for a recorded statement is a common tactic insurance adjusters use to hold against you and lower your settlement amount.
Common Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters
After a car accident, claims are filed with the different insurance companies involved, and those involved will be contacted for a statement about the accident. Before you speak to them, remember that you are not obligated to put yourself in a vulnerable position. Insurance companies hire insurance adjusters to help minimize the amount they must pay out to victims. Insurance adjusters are trained in tactics that will undervalue your claim and lower your settlement. Contacting you and taking a statement is the first step in their process.
Common tactics that insurance adjusters use are:
- Recording statements and calls without your knowledge
- Lowballing settlement offers to entice with fast cash before understanding your claim’s worth
- Denying that their policyholder has any liabilityÂ
- Try to manipulate you into a false admission of guilt or an apology
It is in your best interest to hire an experienced car accident attorney to direct an insurance adjuster’s call and questions to them. This will keep you from misspeaking and damaging your claim. Their tactics are meant to try to catch you off guard, don’t let them. Direct their call to Virginia Beach Injury Law.
Tips for Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
After a car accident, your priority will be your physical wellbeing, and when an insurance adjuster calls so soon after an accident, this is a scare tactic. A skilled car accident attorney can level the playing field and ensure you receive the maximum compensation.
Here are some ways that you can protect yourself from insurance adjusters after a car accident:
- Hire a car accident attorney
- Don’t admit fault or apologize
- Refuse recorded statements
- Don’t discuss the details of the accident
- Do not release medical records
- Do not accept early settlements
- Document the conversation
Recognizing insurance adjusters' tactics to minimize their liability will keep you from falling victim to them. Hiring a skilled car accident attorney will ensure that the long-term financial impacts will not be discounted when it comes to your settlement amounts and that insurance adjusters cannot take advantage of you when trying to heal.
Why You Need a Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer
Understanding how to protect your rights is crucial when trying to heal. When insurance adjusters try to diminish the injuries that you and your loved ones have suffered, it can be frustrating and upsetting. Still, a skilled car accident attorney in Virginia Beach can play a critical role in ensuring you and your family successfully navigate the claims process without further harm. At Virginia Beach Injury Law, we can give you the support and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to explore your legal options and have the right legal team on your side.