Auto Accident Lawyer - Beat the Adjuster

Don’t let the insurance company keep you from getting the money you deserve!

Insurance adjusters thrive off of the confusion that Indiana car 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 Indiana auto 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 auto accidents can show proof of their injuries and beat the insurance adjuster at his own game.

At the Scene of the Collision:

Make observations. (Also see our Auto Accident Procedures page)

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."

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 will bruise you across the shoulder and chest, but after several weeks those bruises heal. Months later, when the insurance adjuster is arguing that your Indiana auto accident was not very significant, pictures of your bruises and other injuries will help solidify your personal injury claim.

As Time Passes:

Write down your observations.
Keep notes about your injuries. In 6 or 7 months, you might forget how it hurt just to get dressed, and the adjuster will 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 when presenting your personal injury claim to the insurance adjuster or to a judge and jury in court.

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 Indiana personal injury lawyer.
Without legal help from an Kentucky and Indiana injury law firm like Woods and Woods, you may have no idea of the real value of your claim. Moreover, the Insurance Research Council found that, on average, injured people who use a lawyer receive more money than those who do not! (Source: Insurance Research Council 1999 study).

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

Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, contact a Indiana auto accident lawyer at Woods and Woods today. Our main office is located in Evansville, Indiana, and serve Jasper and Vincennes. Complete a Free Online Consultation Form or call us at 812-426-7200 for an immediate and confidential evaluation of your case.

© 2006 Woods and Woods Evansville, Indiana Injury Lawyers.
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