Why Speaking to an Insurance Adjuster Without Legal Advice Can Harm Your Case.

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, you will look to your insurance to compensate you for the damages suffered. However, when an insurance adjuster calls to discuss your claim, don’t forget that they don’t always have your best interests at heart. In fact, one of the main objectives of an adjuster is to find ways to reduce your payout. You will be especially vulnerable to insurance tactics if you decide to speak to them without proper legal advice or representation. At Gabriel Law, our team has represented many clients as their New York City auto accident attorney, and we will take this as an opportunity to show why speaking to an insurance adjuster without legal advice can harm your case more than you think.

How can speaking without legal advice hurt your settlement?

When you speak with insurance adjusters without proper legal advice or representation, you are more likely to make mistakes that can hurt your claim. Insurance adjusters will capitalize on these mistakes, applying pressure, forcing you to relent and accept a lesser settlement. Here are some of the reasons why it is dangerous to speak to an insurance adjuster alone.

Recorded statements can be used against you—At the start, adjusters will often request you to make a statement for the record about the details of the accident. When you make such a statement, you are limited to its scope and cannot claim further compensation in the event you suffer future medical complications.
You don’t know what to say and what not to say—When you haven’t had proper legal advice, you may not know what to say, what not to say, and how you should answer a question. Seemingly mistaken or minor inconsistencies in your story can be weaponized against you to destroy your credibility and devalue or deny your claim.
Falling victim to leading questions—Adjusters are trained to use leading questions to get a favorable response. Even something as simple as “I’m sorry” and “I didn’t see them” can be twisted to suit their narrative and the ultimate goal of reducing your payout.
Accepting lowball settlements – At the beginning, insurance adjusters will be quick to offer you a settlement. While it can be enticing, the general rule is that the first offer is far less than what the case is actually worth. Without legal advice, you will not know the true value of your case and accept the settlement on a mistaken belief of fairness.

How Can You Protect Your Claim?

The best way to mitigate the dangers of damaging your claim is to speak with an experienced accident lawyer in NYC and get their legal advice on the matter. In truth, if you want to handle the insurance and legal process connected with NYC car accident claims, retaining the services of an NYC car accident attorney is a must. A car accident lawyer in NYC plays a vital role in the following:

Offering legal advice and setting expectations in relation to the case.
Gathering evidence and building a strong, compelling case.
Filing all relevant submissions on time and handling the administrative matters connected to the case.
Coaching claimants on how to approach insurance interviews and court proceedings.
Negotiating with insurance companies to reach a favorable settlement
Fighting for your rights in court as your counsel.

Conclusion

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, the compensation you receive afterward goes a long way to help get your life back on track. However, without proper legal advice, you run the risk of falling victim to the tactics of insurance adjusters and having to walk away with less than what you deserve. At Gabriel Law, we are here to make sure that doesn’t happen. As a personal injury law firm in NYC, we deal with insurance companies on a regular basis and know what it takes to walk away with what you want. Contact us today and get started on the recovery process with a free and confidential consultation.