Insurance adjusters may seem helpful and friendly, but you need to be aware they are not looking out for your best interests. They are looking to pay as little as possible, or nothing at all, to resolve your insurance claim. They want you to feel comfortable because they are hoping it will cause you to say things that make it sound like you are at fault or your injuries are not too serious.

Below, learn about some specific statements to avoid when talking to the insurance company. Learn how some of these offhand comments that seem harmless could end up hurting the value of your claim.

You should know you can have a licensed lawyer handle communication with the insurance company on your behalf. Contact Goldberg and Finnegan today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

‘I Will Be OK’ or ‘I Will Be Fine’

Crash victims tend to downplay the severity of their injuries. They may do this because they do not want to act like a victim, or because they are trying to remain positive about their chances for making a full recovery. Crash victims may also think they are not significantly injured, possibly because they have yet to see a doctor.

However, when speaking to an adjuster, refrain from saying things like, “I will be OK” or “I will be fine.” You may not have meant you are uninjured, but the insurance company may interpret it that way. At the very least, the adjuster may lower the value of your claim and tell you this is because you are not severely injured.

Insurance adjusters should not be determining the severity of your injuries claim based on your statements. They should be reviewing your medical records to make that determination.

‘I Was in a Rush’ or ‘I Should Have Been More Careful’

Avoid statements that may make it seem like the accident was your fault. Even if you do believe you share some fault for the crash, it is better to share these thoughts with your Silver Spring car accident lawyer and not the insurance company. Saying you were in a rush may make it sound like you were distracted, speeding or not paying attention. These are all common reasons for car crashes.

Under Maryland’s harsh contributory negligence law, if you are found to hold even one percent fault for the accident, you are barred from receiving any compensation. That is why statements about your own fault in the accident could be so damaging, even if the investigation reveals the other driver bears most of the responsibility.

You should also avoid apologizing for the accident, as this may make it seem like it was your fault. For some reason, crash victims tend to apologize – they often mean they are sorry for the situation, not that they caused the accident.

‘I Am Not Sure What Happened’

Saying that you are unsure about what happened could hurt your credibility and this may cause insurers, jurors and judges to question the validity of statements you make later in the process. The insurance company and your attorney can investigate to determine what happened.

If you are unsure about what happened, avoid speculating or giving your opinion about it. You may say something that is contradicted later, even by you. You are not required to make a statement to the insurance company, particularly about things you are unsure of. You can also get yourself into trouble by providing extra details. If you talk to the insurance company, stick to the facts and leave the rest to your lawyer.

Discuss Your Claim with an Experienced Attorney

One of the best ways to protect the value of your car crash claim is to talk to a licensed attorney before having any long conversations with the insurance company.

The attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan are prepared to discuss your claim in a no-cost consultation. We do not charge any attorney fees unless we recover compensation. We are prepared to manage all communication with the insurance company to help protect the full value of your claim.

Our attorneys have recovered millions in financial compensation for our clients. Take a look at our client testimonials page and review some of the positive feedback we have received.

Call Goldberg Finnegan today at (888) 213-8140 to request your free claim review or fill out our free online form.