7 Tips When Dealing with Adjusters after an Auto Accident in Michigan

7 Tips When Dealing with Adjusters after an Auto Accident in Michigan

When you are involved in an auto accident in Michigan, you have to notify your auto insurance provider. The insurance provider responds by sending an adjuster to the field to assess the situation. In the past, many auto accident victims have gotten low deals on benefits merely because they were lured into making deals with the adjusters. In most cases, these victims did not have their auto accident lawyers’ deal with the adjusters. If you or a loved have been in an accident, our lawyers from Elia & Ponto will help deal with adjusters and show you how to file a Michigan auto accident claim. Therefore, you should be aware of the following:

Speaking with a Michigan car accident lawyer at Elia And Ponto can dramatically improve your situation. We also have a Michigan truck accident lawyer and a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer ready to help you. Our knowledge and expertise of the auto laws in Michigan can dramatically improve your outlook when filing a case.

1. Adjusters are not on your side

When adjusters get to the scene of the accident, they usually show signs of care and great concern. You might believe that they have your best needs at heart. However, do not forget that the adjusters do not work for you but your insurer. They are in the business of minimizing or denying your claims. They want to save their insurance company some money by giving you the least amount possible on your claim or none at all. As such, do not buy into their charm to sign any forms or make statements.

2. Recording statements

While on the scene, the adjuster will try all the tricks in the book and get all the necessary information about what happened. They will then request to record your statement. However, you should not have your statement recorded by the adjuster without the presence of your auto accident attorney. Know that whatever you divulge to the adjuster will be used against you later on. Our attorneys at Elia & Ponto will advise you when requested by an adjuster to give a statement.

3. Admitting fault

On the scene of the accident, you might also encounter the insurance adjuster of the other driver’s auto insurance provider. When you encounter them, you should avoid giving a statement at all costs because your words might be twisted later on. In fact, all they will need is a statement of regret concerning how the accident occurred. A simple statement like,’ I’m really sorry about bumping into your car,’ can be used later on to imply an admission of fault.

4. Convincing you not to hire an attorney

Adjusters will try to show you why you should not have an attorney. They will try to convince you that you need not share a piece of the settlement money with an attorney. What they will withhold from you is the fact that injured victims who have a lawyer eventually get more money than those who settled directly with their auto insurance provider. Our lawyers at Elia & Ponto will not only negotiate on your behalf, but they will ensure that your injuries are evaluated and that the damages you have suffered are estimated.

5. Releasing your medical records

After an auto accident, your auto insurance provider may ask you to hand to them all of your medical records. This might actually make sense because you might be led to believe that they want to establish the extent of the injuries you sustained so as ensure you get a fair settlement. However, this is not the case. Actually, they go through your medical records trying to find a pre-existing condition, which they will lurch onto to deny your claim or to have it minimized.

6. Signing a release in return for some money

After an auto accident, your medical bills might start piling up and since you are not working, you may be losing wages. In this period, you may be lured into taking the money offered to you by the adjuster. However, they will have you sign a release before they can hand it to you. This release will come with consequences. For instance, in the future, if you accrue medical expenses from the injury, you will not have the right to take your auto insurer to court or request for additional money. This mostly affects victims who sustained brain injuries since a brain injury cannot be determined right away.

7. Dragging the process

You have to be aware that insurance companies stay afloat by not paying claims. For that reason, they will take the longest time possible to act on your claim in the hope that either you go away or that you accept a lower amount. Therefore, when you call them, they might tell you that they will call you back, but they will never do it. Worse, they will lie to you that paperwork for your claim is being processed. In this case, have an attorney see through your claim. Our attorneys at Elia & Ponto can help deal with claims for you.

You need not receive a lower settlement or have your claim scrapped away. With the above points in mind, you will know how to deal with adjusters. If you or a loved were in an auto accident in Michigan and you are looking for an auto accident lawyer to represent you, a Michigan auto accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto will help you with the whole process.