Car Insurance Adjuster Secrets: How to Protect Your Claim in Ohio
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, you have a lot of things to deal with. Doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, nursing treatment, and a growing pile of medical bills all claim your time and attention. You can also expect a call from the insurance adjuster, asking you questions you may not be ready for.
It’s important to prepare beforehand to know what to say to an insurance adjuster after a car accident.
What Does a Car Insurance Claim Adjuster Do?
A car insurance claim adjuster represents the insurance company, and their primary goal is to minimize payouts. They may sound caring and sympathetic and try to convince you that the insurance company wants to take care of you, but it isn’t true. Every word the insurance adjuster says and every question they ask is chosen to find a way to pay you less. When you talk with the claims adjuster, remember they are not your friend.
Secrets Insurance Adjusters Don’t Want You to Know
Insurance adjusters use various tactics to protect their employer’s interests. Here are some car insurance adjuster secrets they don’t want you to know:
- They Are Trained to Minimize Payouts: Every question the adjuster asks you is meant to trip you up so the insurance company can offer you less. A simple answer like “I’m fine” can be used against you.
- They Want You to Admit Fault: If they ask if you could have avoided the accident, they hope you’ll admit partial blame.
- They May Offer a Quick, Low Settlement: If the adjuster offers you a quick settlement, they are worried about paying much more if the case goes to trial. Never accept a lowball settlement offer.
- They Might Delay Your Claim: They may stall to run down Ohio’s two-year statute of limitations.
- They Use Social Media Against You: If you tell the insurance company you have severe injuries but then post a photo on social media showing you having fun with your friends, the company will use this to dispute your claim. If you post something on social media that can be construed as admitting fault for the accident, the company will try to use this to deny your claim.
- They Downplay Your Injuries: The insurance company profits when it denies claims or pays as little as possible. Even if the insurance adjuster cannot deny your injuries, they will still attempt to downplay them in every possible way.
- They Don’t Want You to Hire a Lawyer: An insurance claims adjuster may tell you that you don’t need a lawyer and that a lawyer will only take a portion of your settlement. This is a misleading claim because people with legal representation usually obtain much larger settlements than those without attorneys. The adjuster doesn’t want you to hire a lawyer because they know they will probably have to pay you more if you do.
Tips for Dealing with Insurance Adjusters in Ohio
To protect your rights, follow these tips for dealing with insurance adjusters:
- Provide only basic facts— Choose your words carefully and share only basic information. Tell the insurance adjuster the facts but nothing else.
- Never give a recorded statement—adjusters may use your words against you. If the insurance claims adjuster asks you how you are feeling, tell them it is too soon to know and that you are receiving medical treatment.
- Refuse to sign medical release forms—they may use past records to dispute your claim. The adjuster hopes to access your medical history so they can argue that your symptoms are due to a preexisting condition rather than a result of the accident.
- Say your injuries are still being evaluated—don’t let them minimize your pain.
- Consult a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer. If the adjuster asks you whose fault the accident was or if you could have done anything to prevent it, refuse to speculate. Tell the adjuster what happened without speculating who was at fault. Do not agree to give a recorded statement or to let the adjuster record the phone call.
What to Do If Your Car Insurance Claim Is Denied
If your car insurance claim is denied, the first thing you should do is call an Ohio personal injury law firm. An Ohio car accident lawyer can put you in a much stronger position to negotiate with the insurance company. It’s better not to wait for the insurance company to deny your claim. Get a lawyer right away and have your lawyer file the claim for you. That way, the insurance company will know right from the beginning that they cannot push you around.
Ohio Car Accident Laws & Insurance Requirements
According to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, all drivers must carry:
- $25,000 for injury or death per person
- $50,000 for injury or death per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
If injured, you may be eligible for:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (impact on spousal relationship)
Under Ohio’s comparative negligence law, you can recover damages if you are less than 51% at fault. However, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. This is why it’s crucial not to admit fault to the adjuster.
How an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Can Maximize Your Compensation
Hiring a car accident lawyer in Ohio can significantly increase your compensation. A lawyer can:
- Investigate your accident and collect evidence
- Handle all negotiations with the insurance company
- Fight back against unfair settlement offers
- Take your case to court if needed
Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law Today
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we fight for accident victims throughout Ohio. Call us today at (937) 975-2119 for a free consultation. Let our experienced Ohio car accident lawyers handle the insurance company while you focus on recovery.
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At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
