The Adjuster Is Calling Me Right Now — What Do I Say?

When your phone rings while you are still sore from a crash, the friendly voice on the other end may be working for the other side. A short call can protect you: give your name, say you are not ready to talk about the crash, and ask for the adjuster’s name, company, and claim number. Then end the call politely and take time to think.

We are Carolinas’ Biker Lawyers at Karney Clayton, and we have been representing bikers since 1975. As riders ourselves, we know what you are facing. Our motorcycle insurance lawyers can step in when an adjuster calls.

What to Say When the Adjuster Calls

Calm and short works best. A first call may only need these four pieces of information:

• Your name: Give your full name and the best way to reach you.
• Their details: Ask for the adjuster’s full name, company, phone number, and claim number.
• Your answer: Tell them you are not giving a recorded statement today.
• Your next step: Say you are getting legal advice and will follow up later.

A short call like this gives the adjuster little to twist later. It also gives you time to check your policy, talk with a lawyer, and see how your injuries are healing. Stay polite if the adjuster pushes back, and repeat the same short answer.

Why You May Want to Hold Back

The adjuster may sound kind, but the North Carolina Department of Insurance says that adjusters are employed by insurance companies to evaluate losses and settle claims for the company. Keep that in mind as the questions start.

In most cases, you do not have to give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement. Anything you say on a recorded call can be replayed later, even a loose answer you gave while still shaken.

When the Call Comes From Your Own Insurer

Your own insurance company is a different case. Your policy may require you to cooperate, so ignoring the call could cause problems of its own. You can still keep your answers short and stick to basic facts, and you can ask a lawyer to review your policy first.

The other driver may also have little or no insurance. In that case, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may come into play, and that adjuster may still look for ways to limit what the company pays.

Questions That Can Hurt Your Claim

Some of the simplest questions can carry the most weight later, especially when you are still hurting. The following three come up often:

How Are You Feeling?

Adrenaline can hide pain after a wreck, and some head injuries can take days to show up. Soreness that feels minor on day one can look very different by day three. A quick “I’m fine” may end up in the claim notes and be used against you later. It is safer to say you are still being checked by a doctor.

What Happened on the Road?

Fault is a big deal in these claims. Adjusters may look for any way to shift some blame to the rider, and fault rules in North Carolina and South Carolina can reduce or even end a claim. Skip apologies and guesses about speed or distance, and let the police report and your lawyer fill in the details.

Will You Take This Offer?

An early offer can sound like relief when bills are stacking up. Once you accept one, you may not be able to ask for more if your injuries turn out worse than you thought. Your full costs, such as medical care and missed work, may not be clear for weeks. Ask for any offer in writing, and hold off on signing a release until a lawyer has read it.

Keep Track of Every Call

Write down the date, time, and the adjuster’s name right after each call, along with what you were asked. Keep letters, emails, and medical bills in one folder. Photos of your bike and the scene belong in that folder too. Notes like these can help a lawyer spot problems fast. If the calls keep coming, you can send the adjuster to your lawyer, who can take over the talking.

Contact Karney | Clayton Before You Give a Statement

Adjuster calls can come fast, and you can call a lawyer first. Bob Karney and Sean Clayton lead a team with over 50 years of experience protecting clients, and we handle motorcycle accidents as well as serious automobile accidents. Sean has been recognized as a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and a Super Lawyers Rising Star.

If an adjuster has already reached you, reach out anyway. Tell us what was said, and we can talk through your options. We work to help you recover past and future medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Contact our team today to schedule a free case evaluation before you say anything more.