Personal Injury Claims: Do’s and Don’ts for Dealing With Insurance Adjusters

How to Handle Insurance Adjusters After a Personal Injury in New York

When you get injured in an accident, life can turn upside down quickly. The pain, the paperwork, the bills, it all starts piling up. And just when you’re trying to catch your breath, a call comes in. It’s an insurance adjuster. They want to talk about the accident, your injuries, and maybe even get a recorded statement. This might seem routine. It’s not.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we understand how overwhelming it feels. You don’t have to take on this process alone. Our New York personal injury attorneys step in so you can focus on healing while we handle the insurance company. We’ll protect your story, pursue the compensation you deserve, and take that stress off your shoulders.

Understand the Role of an Insurance Adjuster in New York

When you file an injury claim, the insurance company assigns an adjuster to your case. Their job is simple on paper: investigate what happened and determine what the insurer owes. In practice, they look for ways to limit or deny your claim. They work for the insurer, not for you.

Under New York’s no-fault laws, your own insurer covers basic medical expenses and lost wages. But when injuries are serious, your case may cross the threshold into a personal injury lawsuit. At that point, adjusters from another party’s insurance may get involved. They start digging into what you said, what you signed, and whether anything can be used to reduce the payout.

Adjusters know New York liability rules. They understand the financial limits and how to leverage them. That’s why early conversations matter more than most people realize.

Respond Promptly but Carefully to Initial Contact

Most adjusters reach out within days. Some call within hours, especially if the accident happened in a busy spot like the FDR Drive or near the George Washington Bridge. Their tone might sound friendly. Their questions will feel casual. But everything you say matters.

Keep the conversation basic. Give your name, your vehicle info, and when and where the accident occurred. If they ask about how you feel or what happened, tell them you’re still gathering medical information and you’re not ready to discuss details yet.

You’re allowed to pause. You don’t have to explain every ache, or try to sound tough. You’re not being difficult by being cautious.

Don’t Provide a Recorded Statement Without Legal Advice

One of the first things an adjuster might ask is, “Can we record this conversation for our files?” It might sound harmless. It’s not.

Recorded statements can limit your ability to claim full damages later. If you say something small or uncertain, like “I think I looked down for a second,” that comment can be twisted into an admission of fault. And in New York, where comparative fault reduces your recovery based on your share of blame, that could cost you.

Don’t agree to any recording without legal support. It’s not about hiding anything. It’s about making sure your words aren’t taken out of context.

Do Document Everything From Day One

You won’t remember every detail a week from now. That’s why you should write things down right away. Documentation builds the backbone of your case. It also keeps your story consistent, which matters if your case goes before an adjuster, judge, or jury.

Start simple:

• Snap photos of the scene, skid marks, traffic lights, license plates.
• Take pictures of your injuries over time.
• Note the date, time, and location, especially if near well-known spots like Union Square or outside Albany Medical Center.

Also track the pain. Keep a journal of what you feel and how it affects your daily life. This turns your experience into evidence.

Don’t Sign Anything You Don’t Understand

An adjuster may offer you a document that looks routine. It might say “medical records release” or “initial offer.” They may urge you to sign quickly so they can “keep your claim moving.”

Slow down. Many of these forms give the insurer access to your entire medical history, not just records related to the injury. That gives them room to say your injury wasn’t caused by the accident but by something else entirely. Other forms might settle the claim entirely for far less than it’s worth.

Always read every word. Better yet, have a lawyer review it first. A quick signature could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Avoid Discussing the Case on Social Media

You may want to update friends or show that you’re okay. It feels natural. But insurance companies in New York watch Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for a reason.

They’re looking for contradictions. If you post a smiling photo at your cousin’s wedding, even if you were in pain the whole time, an adjuster might claim you’re exaggerating your injury.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Set your accounts to private.
• Don’t mention the accident or your recovery.
• Ask friends not to tag you in public posts.

This isn’t about secrecy. It’s about protecting your right to be taken seriously.

Don’t Accept the First Settlement Offer

Most first offers come in low. Sometimes very low. It might cover your ER visit and a few weeks off work. But serious injuries, especially back, neck, or brain trauma, often require long-term care. The full cost takes time to reveal itself.

New York law allows for pain and suffering damages when injuries exceed no-fault thresholds. If you settle too soon, you lose that opportunity. Once you sign, there’s no going back.

Ask yourself:

• Have I completed all treatment?
• Do I know what future care will cost?
• Have I spoken to a legal professional who understands New York injury law?

A fast check might solve today’s problem. But it won’t fix tomorrow’s.

Track All Medical Treatment and Related Costs

Every receipt matters. So does every appointment, no matter how routine. Adjusters don’t just ask if you were hurt, they want proof. And in New York, the more organized your records, the stronger your claim.

Save the following:

• Bills from urgent care, ER visits, and specialists (like NYU Langone or Mount Sinai).
• Prescription receipts and over-the-counter supplies.
• Mileage or rideshare receipts for trips to and from physical therapy.
• Childcare or household help costs during recovery.

Even a $20 copay tells a part of your story.

Stay Consistent in All Statements

Inconsistent answers weaken even the strongest case. If you tell the adjuster one thing and your medical report says another, expect questions. And in New York, where insurers use any contradiction to reduce liability, small differences can cost you.

Write your own timeline. Record what happened before, during, and after the incident. Include key dates, like when you visited your doctor or missed work.

Keep it simple. Keep it honest. And don’t guess. If you don’t remember something, it’s okay to say so.

Consult a Personal Injury Attorney Before Making Big Decisions

Accident claims don’t have to turn into legal battles, but you should never face them alone. An experienced New York personal injury lawyer knows how insurance adjusters think. They know what fair compensation looks like. Most importantly, they know how to protect your rights.

From reviewing paperwork to handling calls, legal support shifts the pressure off you. You deserve to rest and recover without second-guessing every word or worrying about what comes next.

If the injury happened in a crash on the LIE or a fall in a Manhattan high-rise, the right lawyer brings clarity to a messy situation.

Get Legal Support After a Personal Injury

Insurance adjusters know how to protect their bottom line. At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how to protect you. If you were injured in New York and you’re dealing with insurance calls, paperwork, or pressure to settle, we can help. Our attorneys step in early, handle negotiations, and build strong cases grounded in real evidence. That way, you can focus on healing while we fight for the outcome you deserve. Reach out to our team today.