Property Damage v. Personal Injury

If you have been in a wreck, getting back on the road is probably your most immediate concern.  Finding yourself without a vehicle for any length of time can cause a number of problems.  However, as you try to get back on the road, there are lots of bumps that you need to watch out for.  In particular, your urgency to get in a car can end up hurting your personal injury case.  Read on to find out how that can happen and what you should do about it.

In Georgia, personal injury claims are completely separate from property damage claims.  Even though both types of claims often stem from the same event, you are not obligated to deal with them at the same time.

Shortly after your claim is reported, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster.  This adjuster will often talk to you about getting your car fixed, getting you into a rental car, etc.  There is no requirement that you discuss your injury and property damage claims together, so it is ok to talk with the adjuster about your property damage in order to schedule repairs or get a rental car.  You should watch out for the adjuster trying to use the property damage to get information about your injury claim.

Adjusters know that often the most pressing issue for someone who has been in a wreck is transportation.  The adjuster will use this to try to get you to talk with them about your injuries by talking to you about your property damage before steering the conversation to your injuries.   The adjuster wants to get information about your injuries from you before you have had an opportunity to consult an attorney.  The insurance company hopes that you will say something about your injuries that they can use against you in your personal injury claim.

If you have been in a wreck, the best practice is to not talk with the adjuster about your injuries or your injury claim.  Don’t let the insurance adjuster use your property damage claim to get information about your injuries.  If you are concerned about this or have any questions, get a free consultation with one of our attorneys who specializes in personal injury claims first by calling the phone number or completing the “Need Help” form on the right.  For more helpful tips on handling your property damage claim, please see You’ve Been in a Car Wreck, Now What: Getting Your Vehicle Repaired or Replaced