When it comes to phone calls after a wreck, some are better off ignored. Talking to the insurance adjuster may seem like an innocent act but it can trip up accident victims and negatively affect their case. Read on to find out how why some things are better left unsaid.

This is Not a Good Time To Make Decisions

Insurance companies operate to decrease their losses after an accident. That is why they often act quickly when it looks like their client is at fault for a wreck. The sooner they get victims to sign an accident release, the less they are likely to pay. Needless to say, many accident victims are not at their best in the days and weeks after an accident and may be more likely to be affected by pain medicine or just by pain alone.

What Is The Real Purpose of the Call?

No matter what the adjuster tells you, the actual purpose of the call is hidden. They may say that they are about to send you a check and they just need a recorded statement from you. They may also downplay the seriousness of the phone interview and make you think it's just routine. The real reason is to (hopefully) get you to say something that damages your claim. That might affect fault or your damages.

How Did the Accident Happen?

This innocent-sounding question is one of the most common and it's far from innocent. Open-ended questions can cause victims to speak casually – forgetting that they are being recorded. They may prompt the victim to insert some emotional thoughts into what should be a factual summation of the accident. For example, they may express remorse, sorrow, or regret about the accident, the other driver's injuries, and more.

How Are You Doing?

What might seem like a courtesy phrase is not. Your medical treatment and your injuries play a huge part in your compensation. Downplaying your condition could come back to haunt you. On the other hand, whatever you do say about your injuries will be checked against your medical records. Any variations in your medical treatment could be misconstrued to be dishonest.

What To Do?

It can be difficult to remember how to behave during this type of call and, happily, you don't need to. Accident victims are not required to speak with the other driver's insurer and doing so won't help you in any way. Instead, speak to someone who will be on your side and will take care of insurance issues for you. Talk to a personal injury law firm like Bangel, Bangel & Bangel to learn more..