Richard S. Lundin
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Personal injury and family law attorney licensed to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia

If you’re involved in an auto accident, you’ll probably get calls from two insurance adjusters, asking about the accident and that you give a recorded statement.  One call will be from your company and a second call will be from the other driver’s insurance company.

 

Most people know to be wary of the other insurance company, but it’s important to keep in mind that your own insurance company is not necessarily your friend during this process, especially if it turns out the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.

 

If you’ve been hurt in the accident and are making a personal injury claim, we recommend that you not talk to the insurance adjuster without us present or on the line.  Without an attorney, the adjuster might damage your case with one of these three common insurance company tactics:

 

1. They pressure you to settle quickly

 

After an auto accident, you can take your time to get healthy.  Your vehicle can be repaired or replaced while you are seeing the doctor – they are separate claims.  If an insurance adjuster tells you it would be better to settle your injury claim quickly and without an attorney before you know the full extent of your injuries, that adjuster is not looking out for your best interest.

 

2. They ask about your medical history

 

This may seem innocent, but it’s very intentional: they want to list your prior medical and health issues to say that the injuries you suffered in the accident existed beforehand or that the pain you’re feeling is from something else.  We don’t let them take advantage of your medical history. You deserve to be fairly compensated for the injuries caused by the accident.

 

3. They comment about your injuries

 

The adjuster is not a medical expert and doesn't have the right to diagnose you over the phone. They may sound casual and friendly to see if you’ll admit that “it’s not that bad” or that “it was hurting before the accident.” Be direct, stay focused, and be honest about how much these injuries are affecting you.

 

We’ve had many people call us over the years after falling victim to one of these tactics, but it’s usually too late.  So remember, if you or anyone you know has ANY questions about a car accident case, we’re ready to take your call.  It means a lot to us to be given the chance to help you, and appreciate your confidence and referrals!

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