Following a car accident, it is possible that the other driver's insurance company will contact you before you have had a chance to discuss your case with an attorney. If this happens, it is important that you do not give away your case on the first call. Here are some tips for handling the call with the adjuster. 

Identify the Caller

Before you answer any questions or offer any information, it is important that you know exactly who you are talking to. Ask for the name, position, and company the person represents. During your conversation, you will need to take notes. Be sure to include the contact information of the adjuster in your notes. 

The notes that you take will be useful when you talk to your attorney. He or she will know who is handling your claim and can send the demand letter to him or her. 

Offer No Details

The adjuster will ask a lot of questions about the accident. Do not give any details to him or her. Instead of answering his or her questions, explain that you would prefer to give details after the investigation of the accident is completed and you have had a chance to formally write a statement. 

When you secure an attorney, he or she will include a statement from you detailing what happened with the demand letter asking for payment. By declining to answer questions now, you are avoiding locking yourself into a statement. If you remember something differently later, the insurance adjuster could claim that you are trying to change your story as opposed to remembering what happened exactly.

Do Not Settle

The adjuster might offer you a settlement on the first call. Although it does not happen all the time, it is a possibility. Resist the urge to settle before talking to the attorney. If the amount is larger than you expected, there is a possibility that your claim is worth even more than that. 

You also should not settle, because the full scope of your injuries and damages is not known yet. Your attorney will need time to assess your damages and you will need to ensure that you have received all of the medical treatment required to get better. 

As soon as you can, schedule a consultation with the attorney. Be sure to provide him or her with your notes from the conversation with the adjuster. Once you have legal counsel, be sure to refer all questions from the adjuster to your attorney. For more information, contact a firm such as Edward J. Achrem & Associates, Ltd.