Car accidents happen in Kansas. They even happen to great drivers like you. In a single moment, your peaceful Tuesday afternoon commute can turn into a nightmare of broken glass and crushed metal as someone t-bones your car at an intersection. He ran a red light. You are completely innocent of any wrongdoing. You proceeded into the intersection at a reasonable speed and were abruptly blindsided. Disoriented, you ride in the ambulance to the hospital. After being treated for your injuries and giving your statement to the police officer, you return home to recuperate.
When you arrive home, you check your voicemail. Among the well wishes and messages from concerned friends and family, you find a message from the other driver’s insurance company. They want to talk about the accident. You dial the number. This is the number 1 mistake claimants make that may destroy or diminish their claims value You are under no obligation to speak with the other driver’s insurance adjustor. Of course, you already know this.
You understand that insurance companies are for profit corporations who will attempt to deny or diminish any claim against them. They will protect their bottom line at all cost, and the way they accomplish that is by finding a reason to deny your claim, no matter how valid or at the very least diminish the value of your claim. Don’t return the call. You know better.
However, almost as soon as you finish checking your voicemail and returning a few calls, the phone rings. The insurance adjuster is on the line and he would like to talk. What do you do now? It’s easy to not return a call, but it is much harder to hand up on someone. You don’t want to be rude. Be assertive Insurance adjusters are well trained in the art of leading people into potentially dangerous statements. You have already given your statement to the police. That is all they need to proceed with the claims process. Any other information you give them could potentially tank your case.
Here’s an example of how an innocent question and answer can be turned against you in court.
Adjuster: Now, what time did the accident occur? I can’t seem to find it in the report.
You: 5:46pm.
Adjuster: And how do you know that?
You: I have a dashboard clock.
Adjuster: Excellent, thank you.
In court, the insurance company’s attorney can use the fact that you looked at your dashboard clock prior to the accident to say that, because you were looking at your clock and not the road, you failed to see the light change, and you ran the red light.
An innocent question. An innocent answer. But answering that question, even truthfully, can have a large effect on your case.
Don’t talk to insurance adjusters. Let me handle that. I have years of experience in the Kansas personal injury claims. I can handle the insurance companies, and I can make sure you get exactly what you are entitled to and not a penny less. Please contact me for a Free Case Evaluation through the form found on this site. I would love to help.
