After a car accident in Louisiana, phone calls start coming in quickly. Sometimes within hours. An adjuster introduces themselves, expresses concern about how you are doing, and then begins asking questions. The conversation can feel routine and almost neighborly, which is exactly the point. What sounds like a wellness check is actually the opening move in an investigation designed to minimize the insurance company’s payouts.
Understanding the questions adjusters typically ask, and why they ask them, is one of the most practical things an accident victim can do to protect their claim. Be sure to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Lafayette before talking to an insurance adjuster.
They Will Ask How the Accident Happened
An insurance adjuster will want to hear your side of the story of how the accident happened. They will listen for any indication that blame may be shifted entirely or partially to you. Some of the questions they will likely ask include:
- “Can you describe what happened in your own words?” This open-ended question can be dangerous. It invites you to talk freely and at length rather than give a specific, narrow answer. You may still be in shock, in pain, and unclear on exactly what happened. But what you say in response to this question becomes the baseline of your account of the accident.
- “Exactly where were you at the time of impact?” When an insurance adjuster asks about your precise positioning, they are looking for any indication that your own actions contributed to the accident.
- “Did you see the other vehicle before the collision?” This question is tricky because if you say yes, the adjuster will ask why you did not avoid it, and if you say no, they may argue that you were not paying attention to your surroundings.
- “Were there any witnesses to the accident?” This question is designed to gather early evidence for the insurance company. If you provide witness names at this stage, the adjuster may contact those witnesses before you do and shape their narrative before your attorney has a chance to interview them.
They Will Ask About Your Injuries
Next, the adjuster will ask about your injuries, hoping to find anything that can be used against you to show that you are not injured, that your injuries are not as severe as you claim, and that your injuries are related to a previously existing injury.
Some common questions the adjuster may ask you include:
- “Are you injured? How are you feeling?” So many people are accustomed to answering these questions politely and may say “I’m sore, but I am thankfully okay” or “I’m stiff, but nothing too serious.” These seemingly innocent answers provide the insurance company with a way to deny and devalue your claim. Many injuries take days to manifest fully, and an offhand answer given hours after an accident can be devastating to your claim.
- “Have you seen a doctor yet? What did they say?” If you have sought medical care, the adjuster wants to know what diagnosis or treatment has been documented. If you have not yet sought medical care, they will argue that your injuries are not that serious.
- “Have you had any prior injuries to the same area?” This question is designed to learn about any pre-existing injuries so the insurance company can claim that the accident did not cause your current injuries.
- “Are you able to work? How is the accident affecting your daily activities?” How you answer these questions begins to shape the calculation of your damages. If you say you are managing okay, that statement will harm any later claim for significant pain and suffering or lost income. If you say that you are incapacitated when that is not yet confirmed, they will attempt to show that you are not credible.
They Will Ask About Your Insurance and Financial Situation
Insurance adjusters also ask questions that help them determine whether a quick, inadequate settlement offer might tempt you. They may ask whether you have health insurance to cover your medical bills, whether you are currently working, and whether you have had to miss work due to the accident.
These questions are all designed to get a better picture of your financial situation and help them strategize how to best settle your claim for as little as possible.
Consult an Experienced Louisiana Car Accident Attorney First
The insurance company’s questions are ultimately designed to find a way to pay you the least amount possible. The best thing you can do after a car wreck in Louisiana is to consult an experienced Lafayette personal injury attorney.
At Anderson Blanda & Saltzman, we have more than 100 years of combined experience representing car accident victims. We know how the insurance claim process works, and we know how to make it work for you instead of against you.
Call us at (337) 233-3366 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation.