Do not provide more than basic information about your accident (e.g. date, place and type of the accident) to your insurance before you talk to a lawyer, who will prepare you for the interview; Do not allow the adjuster to visit you at home before you see a lawyer. The purpose of such home visit is usually to ask you questions for several hours in order to take an official statement from you.
DON'Ts:
Do not provide more than basic information about your accident (e.g. date, place and type of the accident) to your insurance before you talk to a lawyer, who will prepare you for the interview;
Do not allow the adjuster to visit you at home before you see a lawyer. The purpose of such home visit is usually to ask you questions for several hours in order to take an official statement from you. Without lawyer’s assistance, some of your answers may be misinterpreted by the adjustor and may negatively affect the amount of your settlement;
Do not allow insurance adjusters to record your conversation on video or audio;
Do not talk to anyone from the insurance company after you hire a lawyer because, at that point, everyone has to talk to you through your lawyer.
Do not give information about possible witnesses of the accident at this time;
Do not provide information about your doctor, medications, or pre-existing medical conditions, your lawyer and doctor will do it for you in the appropriate format and documents;
Do not provide insurance adjuster with originals or copies of any documents;
Do not agree to do anything and do not sign anything!
DO's:
Record the name and information of the insurance adjuster (take a business card);
Provide your full name, address and telephone number;
Take notes of the conversation and immediately request a copy of the notes made by the adjuster;
Ask the adjuster if they know any witnesses of the accident and their contact information;
Describe your injuries very generally. Tell the adjuster you will provide a complete, detailed medical description of your injuries after your doctor has a chance to assess them.
