The other driver's insurance adjuster may call within 24 hours of your crash, sounding cooperative and eager to help. Their job is to resolve your claim for as little as possible. They're a trained professional handling hundreds of files; their loyalty is entirely to their employer. Understanding that from the start is the most useful thing you can do.
What adjusters are trying to accomplish
Adjusters look for anything that lets them reduce or deny your claim: a gap in medical treatment that suggests your injuries weren't serious, an offhand comment that could be read as an admission of fault, a social media post showing you active when you claimed you couldn't work. Every piece of information you provide is evaluated through that lens. They're not conducting a neutral investigation.
What to say on the first call
Keep it brief. Confirm your name, the date and location of the accident, and the vehicles involved. Tell them you're still receiving medical treatment if that's true. Write down the adjuster's name, their direct number, the claim number, and the name of the insurance company. That's it. You're not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement, and doing so before you understand the full extent of your injuries is almost always a mistake.
Don't accept blame or minimize your injuries
Avoid saying you feel "fine" or "not too bad." Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue damage often don't produce obvious symptoms for 24 to 72 hours. Saying you're okay before you've been evaluated creates a record that's used against you. Similarly, don't apologize or concede any share of blame, Arizona's pure comparative fault rule (A.R.S. § 12-2505) means that even a small admission reduces your recovery proportionally. See our post on Arizona comparative negligence law.
Don't settle until you know your full damages
Quick settlement offers are almost never fair. They're designed to close your claim before you understand the actual cost of your injuries, future surgery, ongoing physical therapy, lost earning capacity. Once you sign a release, you can't go back. Before considering any settlement, you need a clear picture of your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages including pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. See our post on what an Arizona car accident claim is worth.
Common adjuster tactics to recognize
Quick lowball offers create pressure to settle before you're ready. Disputes over fault, arguing you were speeding, distracted, or failed to take evasive action, use Arizona's comparative fault rule to reduce payouts. Requests for extensive medical records go fishing for pre-existing conditions to blame your injuries on. Delays frustrate claimants into accepting less just to move on. Friendly small talk lowers your guard and can produce offhand comments that hurt your case. Recognizing these patterns keeps you from walking into them.
Watch your social media
Adjusters and defense attorneys routinely search claimants' social media. A photo at a social event, a post about an activity you claimed you can't do, anything that contradicts your stated injuries, all of it can be used to minimize your claim. Don't post about the accident, your injuries, or your activities while your claim is open. See our post on social media and personal injury claims in Arizona.
When to get an attorney involved
Once an attorney represents you, the insurance company must communicate through your lawyer, not directly with you. That alone removes a significant source of pressure and prevents missteps. If your injuries are anything beyond genuinely minor, if there's any dispute about fault, or if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, having representation is the most practical protection available. Arizona gives you two years to file from the accident date (A.R.S. § 12-542), but early investigation produces better outcomes.
Our car accident attorneys handle all communications with adjusters on your behalf. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.