How insurance claims adjusters initiate the personal injury claim-the "recorded statement"

Many people come to my office for help after first trying to "settle their auto accident cases by themselves"

This can often be a fatal and irreversible mistake.

The things that are said and done by the accident victim in the first few days following the accident can often " set the tone" for the entire case.

One of the first tricks an adjuster for the at fault party will do, once initial contact is made with the victim, will be to secure a "recorded statement".

A crafty adjuster will contact the victim, either by phone or in person, to "chat" with them about their accident. Often, the adjuster will try to be conversational and act genuinely concerned about the physical and mental state of the victim..they will be your new best friend..or not.

The actual purpose in these initial conversations is to establish just how injured, or UNINJURED the victim is.

Often, in soft tissue ("sprain/strain") types of cases, the victim will not feel the effects of an injury for several days following the accident.

THAT IS WHY THE ADJUSTER WILL TRY TO SECURE A STATEMENT FROM THE VICTIM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT.

When the adjuster asks "how are you feeling today Ms. Jones?" they are hoping you will say "fine" or "not to bad". Once they have secured this information..it diminishes and latter claim from the victim that NOW (4-5 days latter) they are starting to hurt.

After all..if you were "really injured " in a traumatic event like a car accident..wouldn't you know it "right away" ? If not..are you really "all that injured"?

Recorded statements..the oldest trick in the book..and one a good attorney will always protect a client from falling in the adjuster's trap.

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