A Jacksonville car accident lawyer knows how intimidating it is for anyone to have to give a statement to an insurance adjuster. Sometimes, they may appear friendly to trick you into chatting and unwittingly making statements that hurt your case. In other cases, adjusters try to scare people into not filing a claim with words like “insurance fraud.”
You are not helpless. You can also scare an insurance adjuster for your car accident claim. Here is how to do it.
Refuse to Sign Any Document Before Talking to a Lawyer
Insurance adjusters may try to pressure you into signing a quick settlement release. This means that you will get a little money, insufficient to cover all your damages. It also means that you cannot take any legal action in the future because the settlement release includes a waiver.
You should make it clear to the adjuster that you are not signing any document before your attorney looks over it and says that you should sign.
Know How Florida Negligence Law Works
Many people are still not aware that Florida changed its comparative negligence law. Under the old law, victims could file a car accident lawsuit even if they were 90% at fault. Now, divers who are more than 50% at fault cannot recover compensation.
Not knowing this may give you a false security that, even if you admit fault, you can still get compensation. Insurance adjusters will encourage you to keep talking and ask questions they hope will lead you to admit fault.
Thus, you should tell the adjuster only the basic facts about the accident.
Tell an Aggressive Adjuster that You Will Report Them (and Do It)
Some insurance adjusters cross every line in their attempt to discourage you from filing a claim. Some will raise their voice, threaten you, and act in an intimidating manner. At this point, you are no longer obliged to be cooperative.
Tell the adjuster to leave and mention that you will file a bad insurance agent report against them. Your Jacksonville personal injury attorney will help you do this, by identifying the competent authority and advising you on the steps you need to follow.
Refuse the Lowball Offer in Writing
One unethical thing some insurers do is deny that you rejected their offer. If your initial statement is not recorded, it will be a “he said, she said” situation which can snowball into something complicated.
The simplest way of preventing this is by sending the insurance company a letter by registered post, stating the following:
- That the offer is unacceptable
- Giving reasons why you are rejecting the offer
- Outlining your actual damages
- Attach copies of all receipts and invoices related to your expenses related to the accident.
Your attorney will help you prepare this letter, which will be sent as soon as possible after you are approached with the lowball offer.
Finish Your Treatment Before Accepting a Settlement
A Jacksonville personal injury lawyer will start negotiating with the insurance as soon as possible because you may still need to file a lawsuit and must not exceed the statute of limitations (2 years).
However, your lawyer will advise you to be patient until the doctors say you reached maximum medical improvement before accepting a settlement. In some cases, injuries that appear to heal completely may leave you with a disability or impairment.
Thus, the lawyer must be able to evaluate ongoing medical care costs, reduced earning capacity, loss of future wages, and pain and suffering.
The Best Way to Scare an Insurance Adjuster: Hire a Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney!
Nothing scares adjusters more than the perspective of dealing with an experienced lawyer. They know that they cannot try intimidation, delays, or other tactics that work on people without legal representation.
Also, they know that a skilled Jacksonville personal injury lawyer knows how to evaluate your damages correctly, including the non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
So, do not wait any longer! Call us today at 954-448-7355 to schedule a free case review with an experienced attorney and start protecting your rights!
