After an auto accident in Quincy and the surrounding areas of Illinois, people who have been injured will have a lot to consider in the aftermath. Amid the shock and worry will be how they can move forward, especially if they need medical care, are unable to work and do not know what the future holds. This can impact anyone, but among the most vulnerable to the uncertainty of an auto accident are those who are blue collar workers who might not be aware of how these cases are handled through the legal system. A mistake that often leads to problems is if the injured person or his or her family communicates with the insurance company representing the other driver in the crash. There are several reasons to avoid this. Having legal guidance can navigate this complicated terrain.
Insurance adjusters have a certain role – know it
People should be up-to-date on what an insurance claims adjuster does when determining whether it is a good idea to communicate with one, especially if it is the other driver’s company who is making contact. An insurance claims adjuster assesses an auto accident to calculate the employer’s liability. The adjuster’s main function is to analyze the damage and come to a dollar amount as to what would be fair in terms of a settlement. This can include investigating the circumstances of the crash, talking to witnesses, checking records, looking at medical reports and analyzing the damage to the property. After the investigation, then the adjuster will decide how much – if anything – would be a reasonable offer.
It is imperative to bear in mind that the adjuster is an employee of the insurance company and their objective will be to keep costs reasonable. The injured person should be aware of this when speaking to his or her own insurer. As for the other driver’s insurance company, it is inadvisable to speak to them at all for several reasons. First, the injured person and family members must realize that they are under no legal obligation to speak to the other driver’s insurance claims adjuster.
Reasons not to speak to the other driver’s insurance company
Once it is understood that the injured person and his or her family are not under any legal requirement to speak to the other insurance company, it becomes easier to make an objective decision. In general, very little good can come from talking to the other insurance company before consulting with a legal professional. The insurance company does not want to pay a significant sum for injuries suffered in a collision. Even though they may seem nice and friendly and often do care about a person’s well-being, they still have a job to do. That is restraining costs.
If, for example, a person says that the injuries do not appear serious or there are no injuries at all and they later feel pain and need treatment, it is likely that the adjuster took detailed notes or even recorded the conversation making it difficult to take back the words that were said when seeking compensation. People can easily become confused and say something they should not have said. Adjusters are adept at getting people to divulge more information than would be beneficial to their case. Once all these factors are considered, there is no justifiable reason to talk to the other driver’s insurer.
Before saying or doing anything, consulting with legal professionals is key
A legal professional experienced in personal injury and motor vehicle accidents can give a list of reasons as to why a person should not speak to the other insurance company. Even if the person made a mistake and did speak to the other insurance company, it is still wise to have legal advice to consider the next step. Injuries can result in massive medical expenses, the inability to work, challenges taking part in everyday activities and long-term problems. For assistance, consulting with those experienced in these matters can give invaluable guidance.