When an insurance adjuster calls after a car accident, start by confirming who they are, which insurance company they represent, and what they need. Keep notes, answer factual questions accurately, and avoid guessing about details you don’t remember.
Before agreeing to a recorded statement, signing an authorization, or accepting a settlement, understand the request and whether any policy obligations apply. A call from your own insurer can involve different responsibilities from a call from the other driver’s insurance company. A Lincoln car accident attorney can help explain those differences and review requests that may affect an injury claim.
Key takeaways
An adjuster investigates or evaluates a claim for an insurance company — the caller may work directly for the insurer or handle claims on its behalf. Ask for:
If you’re uncertain about the caller’s identity, verify it through the insurer’s published contact information before sharing sensitive information.
A call from your own insurer. Your insurer may need information to evaluate coverage, inspect your vehicle, or process benefits under your policy. Policy duties can include reporting the accident and cooperating with an investigation, and some policies also contain requirements concerning records or examinations under oath. The actual policy language and circumstances matter, so simply ignoring requests can create coverage issues — cooperation provisions generally require careful attention. Ask the adjuster to identify the applicable policy provision if you don’t understand a request or its deadline.
A call from the other driver’s insurer. That insurer may contact you to investigate responsibility for the crash, vehicle damage, or injuries. The adjuster evaluates the claim for the insurance company — they don’t act as your attorney or provide independent advice about your legal interests. Don’t assume a request from this insurer carries the same obligations as a request under your own policy; if the caller says a statement or document is required, ask them to explain the basis in writing.
The adjuster may ask about the accident’s date, location, vehicle movements, damage, witnesses, injuries, and treatment. Before a scheduled call, gather the information you already have — photographs, the crash report number, repair estimates, medical visit dates, and earlier correspondence. During the conversation:
For example, having attended one medical appointment doesn’t mean you know how long treatment will last — avoid presenting an uncertain recovery timeline as a confirmed fact. Accurate communication helps create a clearer record; it doesn’t require an immediate answer to every question.
A recorded statement creates an audio record of questions and answers about the claim, and it may cover how the collision happened, your injuries, prior medical conditions, or activities after the crash. Ask:
A routine interview isn’t necessarily the same as a formal examination under oath. If you receive a formal notice or a warning about coverage consequences, have the policy and request reviewed promptly. Whether you should provide a particular statement depends on who’s requesting it, the policy terms, and the circumstances — avoid a blanket rule to either accept every request or refuse every statement.
An adjuster may ask about speed, traffic signals, following distance, visibility, or whether you saw the other vehicle before impact — details that can influence the insurer’s assessment of responsibility. Nebraska’s comparative-negligence statute provides that a claimant’s negligence can reduce damages proportionately, and recovery is barred when the claimant’s negligence is equal to or greater than the combined negligence of the people they’re recovering from; how that rule applies depends on the evidence and legal issues. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09.) Describe what happened truthfully, and avoid guessing about another driver’s intentions or treating an uncertain impression as a final conclusion about fault. An insurer’s initial position may also change when additional evidence — photographs, witness accounts, or video — becomes available.
Some requests arrive by email or text after the call. Read them carefully before signing.
Medical authorizations. Medical records may be relevant to evaluating an injury claim, including whether the crash caused or aggravated a condition. Before signing, check which providers or records it covers, the date range, who may receive the information, when the authorization expires, and whether the requested scope relates to the claim. If the wording is unclear or broad, ask for an explanation and consider legal review — but don’t conceal relevant information or assume that every request for earlier records is improper.
Settlement offers and releases. Before accepting an offer, identify what it covers — vehicle damage, bodily injury, and other losses may be handled separately. A release may resolve claims within its stated scope, so ask whether the proposed agreement covers only property damage or also injury-related claims, and whether it includes claims you intended to keep open. When treatment is ongoing, future needs may still be uncertain, and an attorney can review the release and explain its potential effect before you decide.
A simple communication log can help you track requests and avoid misunderstandings. Record the date, adjuster’s name, claim number, subjects discussed, documents requested, and any stated deadlines, and save related emails, letters, and texts. The Nebraska Department of Insurance recommends documenting communications and requesting written explanations for insurer decisions you question. After a call, a short written follow-up can confirm your understanding — identify the documents requested and ask the adjuster to clarify anything uncertain. If you discover that you gave incorrect information, correct it promptly and keep a copy of the correction.
Opening a claim and filing a lawsuit are different steps. Nebraska generally applies a four-year limitations period to ordinary car-accident injury lawsuits, though different rules can apply to other claims or circumstances, including claims involving government entities or death. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207.) Don’t assume ongoing calls or settlement discussions extend a filing deadline — policy notice requirements may also need attention much earlier. Have the deadlines for your specific situation reviewed rather than treating the general four-year period as a reason to wait.
Legal guidance may be useful when:
Bring the policy, claim correspondence, photographs, available medical information, and any proposed settlement documents. Useful questions include which requests require a response, what additional evidence may matter, and whether a proposed settlement would resolve more than you intend.
What if I already gave a recorded statement? Keep any notes you made and ask for a copy of the statement. If you recognize an error, identify it specifically and provide an accurate correction. Giving a statement doesn’t, by itself, determine the outcome of a claim.
Can different adjusters handle the same accident? Yes. An insurer may assign different people to property-damage and injury issues, and separate insurers may each have their own claim file. Confirm which part of the claim each caller handles.
Can I complain about how an insurer is handling my claim? The Nebraska Department of Insurance accepts insurance complaints and may help review handling concerns, but it can’t decide accident fault, determine a claim’s value, or order an insurer to pay. A complaint isn’t a substitute for protecting legal deadlines.
If you were injured in a car accident and an insurance adjuster has contacted you, you may have questions about what information to provide, recorded statement requests, or documents you are asked to sign.
Inkelaar Law can review the circumstances and help you understand the factors that may affect your claim. You may contact us to request a free consultation.
Call: 1-833-INK-WINS
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Serving Lincoln and surrounding Nebraska communities.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be interpreted as legal advice for any specific situation. Reading this content does not establish an attorney–client relationship. If you have questions about your circumstances or need guidance on a legal matter, consider consulting with a licensed attorney in your state.
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