Auto Accident - Beat the Adjuster

Don’t let the insurance company keep you from getting the money you deserve! Contact an Illinois and Indiana auto accident lawyer at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.

Insurance adjusters thrive off of the confusion that Illinois and Indiana 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 Illinois and Indiana auto accident can show proof of their injuries and beat the insurance adjuster at their 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."

Be on guard
Beware of insurance representatives at the scene of an Illinois or Indiana auto accident. It is rumored that some insurance companies send adjusters to accident scenes in order to 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 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. 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 Illinois and Indiana auto accident lawyer
Without legal help from an injury law firm like Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, 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 three and a half times more money than those who do not! *

The bottom line
In most cases, the insurance adjuster is 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 Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlinto represent you or not, you need an experienced, tough law firm on your side. Don’t go it alone.

Free Consultation!

Have you or someone you care about been injured in an auto accident? Contact the Indiana, Illinois or Ohio injury lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.  Our office is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, but we have successfully advocated for clients throughout the area, including Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati in Ohio; Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend in Indiana; and Chicago, Decatur, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign in Illinois. Complete a Free Online Consultation Form or call us toll free at 1-800-618-4878 to contact us today.