If you were struck by a drunk, drowsy, or distracted driver and incurred significant damages as a result, you probably have grounds for legal action. While New York generally takes a “no-fault” approach to traffic crashes, those who get seriously hurt are usually allowed to seek compensation from the liable party.
Should you choose to proceed with a third-party claim, however, you won’t actually go up against the at-fault motorist. Instead, you’ll likely correspond with their insurance adjuster.
Employed by carriers, insurance adjusters are tasked with determining the validity of every claim and then assigning a dollar value to those cases that they deem legitimate. Put another way, their assessment will have a major impact on the outcome of your claim. As such, it’s imperative that you approach every interaction strategically.
Here are a few tips for doing just that:
1. Refrain from Saying Anything on Record
It’s advisable to avoid saying anything on record until you’ve finished investigating the crash and reached maximum medical improvement. Speculating about the cause of the wreck or the severity of your injuries opens the door for disputes. Should you say anything that turns out to be inaccurate, the insurance adjuster will undoubtedly use it to challenge your credibility in general.
2. Be Polite but Firm in Your Refusals
You should always be civil when interacting with the opposing party, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be cooperative. Whether the insurance adjuster is insisting that you provide a recorded statement or that you hand over the evidence you gathered at the scene, you have every right to refuse—and you probably should, at least until you talk to an attorney.
3. Refer Them to Your Legal Team
As soon as you hire a car accident lawyer, you can stop corresponding with the insurance adjuster entirely. Simply refer them to your legal team, and if they still try talking directly to you, let your attorney know, so the firm can run interference.
4. Lay Low on Facebook and Instagram
Nowadays, insurance adjusters will often monitor victims online in the hopes of finding cause to deny their claims. Since there’s no way to be sure how they might interpret your content, it’s best to avoid posting at all until your claim has been resolved.
If that’s not possible, at least enable stricter privacy settings. Likewise, don’t accept friend or follow requests from anyone whom you don’t recognize. They might work for the carrier and could just be trying to gain access to your profiles.
Speak with a New York Car Accident Attorney
Were you hurt in a car accident in New York City, Long Island, or somewhere else in the state? For help seeking every dollar you deserve from the liable party, turn to Leitner Varughese.
Our tenacious team has secured more than $150 million for injured parties and their families. Call 855-585-2969 or complete our Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in New York.
