Auto Accident - Beat the Adjuster

North Carolina Auto Accident attorney

Don’t let the insurance company keep you from getting the justice you deserve! Contact a North Carolina auto accident attorney at Crumley & Associates.

Insurance adjusters thrive off of the confusion North Carolina auto accidents cause in people's lives. The adjuster’s job is to make the insurance company more money by paying less money to people injured in those accidents -- people who need it. They do this by taking advantage of any instances where an injured person does not have proof of damages or injuries. We know that’s not fair, so we’ve put together some ways that people injured in North Carolina auto accidents can show proof of their injuries and beat the insurance adjuster at their own game.

At the Scene of the Collision:

Make observations.
Identify the witnesses so there will be someone to support your case if it goes to court. Write down their names and addresses and interview them. Ask them what they saw and make a note of phrases they used like "slammed into," "plowed," "speeding," or "he ran the red light." (Also see our Auto Accident Procedures page)

Be on guard.
Beware of insurance representatives at the scene of a North Carolina auto accident. It is rumored that some insurance companies send adjusters to accident scenes in order to either catch people off-guard with incriminating questions or to have them sign away any rights they may have to future compensation.

Immediately After the Collision:

See a doctor.
If you are injured, schedule an appointment with your own doctor as soon as possible. Don’t let the insurance adjuster choose a doctor for you. You have the right to a doctor of your choice.

Photograph your car.
Take pictures of your car as soon as possible after the accident. When the adjuster asks for proof of damage, it is difficult to dispute a picture taken of your car at the collision scene. Pictures of the damage will help tell your story. If possible, take pictures of the other cars involved as well. These pictures will help supply information about the severity of the impact associated with your collision.

Photograph your injuries.
Take pictures of your injuries before they heal. In many cases, the seat belt strap can bruise you across the shoulders and chest, but after several weeks those bruises heal. Months later, when the insurance adjuster is arguing that your car accident was not very significant, pictures of your bruises and other injuries will help solidify your case.

As Time Passes:

Write down your observations.
Keep notes about your injuries. In six or seven months, you might forget how it hurt just to get dressed. The adjuster may try to make it seem like any description you give is an exaggeration. Write down your pain medications. These kinds of written documents can be very valuable as your case progresses.

Keep records of expenses.
The adjuster will ask for proof of anything you claim as an expense. Be sure you keep receipts for prescriptions, household services like lawn mowing and getting someone to cook for you, car rentals and so forth. Keep each of those receipts so you can document every expense.

Most Importantly:

Consult an experienced North Carolina auto accident attorney.
Without legal help from a law firm like Crumley & Associates, you may have no idea of the real value of your claim and how you can proceed towards a favorable result with the opposing parties.

The bottom line
In most cases, the insurance adjusters are not on your side. Their goal is to save the insurance company money by giving you as little as possible after your auto accident. Whether you choose Crumley & Associates to represent you or not, you need an experienced, tough law firm on your side. Don’t go it alone.