What to Do When an Insurance Adjuster Calls After a Truck Accident in Utah

After a truck accident, the last thing you need to deal with is phone calls from the trucking company’s insurer. But claims adjusters usually waste no time trying to reach out to injured truck accident victims. Why? Because the insurance company hopes to catch you while you’re vulnerable and convince you to accept a low settlement offer. Talking to them before you’ve spoken with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Utah is never a good idea.

At Swenson & Shelley, we know you want to get the compensation you deserve after a truck accident injury as soon as possible. You might be dealing with costly medical expenses while missing work and the income you depend on to pay the bills. Talking to an insurance adjuster right away might seem a good idea with such urgent concerns on your mind. But putting a fair value on a truck accident claim won’t come in the hours, days, or even weeks after a crash. Settling too soon means you could lose out on crucial compensation when you need it most.

Before talking to an adjuster, call or contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Swenson & Shelley. Our legal team can handle all talks with the insurance company for you. Taking that burden off your shoulders gives you more time to heal and get back on your feet after a truck accident.

What Should I Say to the Insurance Adjuster After a Truck Accident in Utah?

It’s OK to say nothing to the trucking company’s claims adjuster if they call. Ideally, a skilled truck accident attorney in Utah should manage all communication between you and the adjuster. But sometimes adjusters catch accident victims before they’ve had time to get advice from a lawyer. If that happens to you, keep your initial exchanges polite, quick, and to the point.

Most adjusters have a playbook they follow to get you to admit fault for the accident, diminish your claim, or pressure you into accepting a settlement offer far below what you deserve. Don’t be fooled by apologies or friendly banter. An insurance adjuster is not on your side, and they do not have your best interests at heart.

What can you say to an insurance adjuster? Here are some tips for speaking with a truck company’s insurance representative:

• Ask for the adjuster’s name, which insurance company they represent, the phone number, and the physical address.
• Keep the conversation short and give simple answers to all questions.
• Be polite.

Your initial conversation should be short and straightforward. You should not provide detailed information about the accident at this time. It is best to ask for the adjuster’s contact information so you can take the time to verify who they are and who they represent before going into any details.

What Should I Not Say?

Unfortunately, the list of things you should not say to an insurance adjuster is lengthy. That’s because an insurance adjuster’s job is to pay you as little as possible. They try to accomplish this goal in several ways.

One strategy might be to lure you into admitting partial or complete fault for the accident, which could reduce or eliminate the insurer’s responsibility to compensate you for your financial losses.

Another way they may attempt to avoid a large settlement is to play the sympathy card. They may apologize and resolve to pay you for the value of your wrecked car. What about your medical expense and lost wages? It doesn’t matter. They want you to believe you are getting a fair deal when, in truth, they are coming out ahead. They may also try aggressive “take it or leave it” tactics to scare you into settling for less.

Avoid saying these things to a claims adjuster:

• “I’m sorry.” Those words could be twisted to argue you admitted fault for the truck accident.
• “I’m OK” or “I’m doing better.” Never discuss your injuries or sign release forms giving the insurer access to your medical records.
• “Here’s everything that happened.” Don’t launch into a detailed explanation of the crash.
• “I’ll take that settlement.” Once you sign off on a settlement agreement, you can’t go back and demand more money later. Make sure the deal is fair by talking to a Utah truck accident attorney.

Should I Provide a Recorded Statement?

No. It’s never a good idea to provide a recorded statement without asking an attorney first. You could damage your Utah truck accident claim without realizing it.

A recorded statement is your account of the events leading up to the crash. It is generally a question-and-answer session that is recorded and then turned into a written document detailing how you described the accident. It is your official record of the event.

Once you have provided a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, they will begin the process of picking it apart. They’re looking for inconsistencies, missing details, or anything that allows them to dispute your claim. Calling your credibility into question may help them avoid a large payout. It could even lead them to deny your claim.

Truck accidents are traumatic and often devastating events. It can be challenging to recall small details, especially under intense pressure. Giving an insurer a recorded statement when you are still in the beginning stages of processing what happened is never in your best interest.

Talk to an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Utah

A collision with a semi-truck could have a lasting impact on your life. At Swenson & Shelley, we’ll work so you don’t settle for less money than you deserve. Leave the insurance companies to us. We’ll protect your rights and support you through every stage of your personal injury case.

Call or contact us today for a free case review.