If you suffer an injury due to the negligence of another party, one of the first people to contact you is likely to be an insurance adjuster. How you deal with that adjuster can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.

These tips will help you successfully handle your interactions with insurance adjusters.

Stay calm

When the insurance adjuster contacts you, there may be anger related to the accident, pain from your injuries and fear related to covering your medical bills and providing for your family. It is understandable that you may be short-tempered or emotional during this time. However, establishing a good relationship with the adjuster can pay off, so stay calm even when you aren’t feeling it.

Do not give details about the accident

The adjuster will probably ask you to provide a statement about the details of the accident. Politely refuse. You are under no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement; however, because Georgia law only requires the consent of one party to record a phone call, the insurance company may record everything you say and use it against you anyway. It is OK to provide basic facts, such as when and where the accident occurred, the type of accident, the vehicles involved and the names of any witnesses. If the adjuster asks you about injuries, do not discuss your injuries beyond indicating that you are receiving treatment.

Different adjusters have different personalities. Some may try to push you to provide additional information; however, you are never legally obligated to do so.