Car Accident Lawyer
When you find yourself dealing with a car crash, you may have more than a few bumps and bruises to contend with. You may find yourself with extensive damage to your vehicle and your body.
Since state laws statutorily mandated car insurance, the type and amount of your policy will vary. What will not, however, is the process through which you make a claim. An integral part of the process includes a question and answer session with the adjuster assigned to your case. This recorded statement provides the groundwork for your claim and how it gets handled.
A car accident lawyer can be of assistance if you are ever in a car accident and can provide advice for when the time comes to complete a recorded statement with an insurance adjuster. Read on to learn our friends at Hall-Justice explain the process of completing a recorded statement with an insurance adjuster.
Your Side of the Story
The recorded statement is one of the first things an adjuster will ask you to give. This is, in large part, to ensure that you give an accurate account of the events leading up to the crash before you forget. Keep in mind that you would have already answered many of these questions when you first call your insurer to report the crash. The claims adjuster may even ask you a few of them before taking your recorded statement. Even so, remain consistent in your account and be honest. If you do not remember something, tell the adjuster and do not make a guess. Since this account is used throughout the investigation process, misinformation may prove detrimental to your claim.
Insurance Adjuster’s Role
The insurance adjuster is the lead investigator for your claim. The investigation relies heavily on your account of the events of the crash. The adjuster will ask a variety of questions meant to paint a picture of how you view the accident. The adjuster then requests the police report from the department who responded and a report of damage to the vehicle from the body shop. Your insurance adjuster will also reach out to the other insurer and driver to get their side of the story. Once the information is gathered, the adjuster will use it to decide who is liable for the crash.
It helps to remain mindful of the insurance company’s position in the process. While you have paid for accident insurance for years, it does not mean the insurer wants to pay out readily. Your insurer will, however, attempt to minimize its liability in the crash. You must document the crash with pictures to preserve your right to file a lawsuit against the other driver and the insurance company. A car accident lawyer is an ally you want on your side after a crash, especially if you face financial loss and hardship in the wake of someone else’s negligent behavior.