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Insurance Adjuster Tips After a Car Accident in Illinois

If you were hurt in a car crash, it can feel like the insurance calls start before you’ve even caught your breath. You may still be sore, still waiting on test results, or trying to figure out how you’ll get to work with a damaged car.

Then an insurance adjuster calls and wants to “just get your side” or “wrap this up.”

This article is a practical, plain-language guide for people in central Illinois (including the Peoria area) who are dealing with adjuster calls after a crash. It’s not about being rude. It’s about protecting your health and making sure a real injury doesn’t get minimized on Day 3 of a weeks-long recovery.

First things first: safety and medical care come before insurance

If you think you might be seriously hurt, get medical help right away. If it feels like an emergency, call 911.

Many common crash injuries do not feel “serious” in the first few hours. Adrenaline is real. So is delayed pain.

Even if you don’t go by ambulance, it’s okay to get checked the same day or the next day if pain, dizziness, headaches, numbness, or weakness shows up. Early medical notes often become the clearest record of what changed after the crash.

Who is calling you—and why it matters

After a car accident, you may hear from two different insurance companies:

One is the other driver’s insurance company. That adjuster is looking for information to decide whether their driver is responsible and what, if anything, they should pay.

The other is your own insurance company. Depending on your coverage (like medical payments coverage or uninsured/underinsured coverage), your insurer may also have questions.

No matter who is calling, the adjuster’s job is to evaluate the claim and close it. Your job is to focus on getting better and making sure the claim reflects the full story—not just the first phone call.

Before you call back: a 10-minute checklist that helps protect you

You do not need to answer an unexpected call on the spot. It is normal (and smart) to slow things down.

• Write down the claim number (if they have one) and the adjuster’s name, phone, and email.
• Confirm which insurance company they represent (yours or the other driver’s).
• Confirm the date and location of the crash.
• Make a short list of the providers you have seen so far (ER/urgent care, primary care, physical therapy, chiropractor, imaging).
• List the “new since the crash” symptoms you’re having (even if they come and go).
• Do not guess about diagnoses. If you don’t know, it’s okay to say you’re still being evaluated.
• If you missed work, note the dates and who told you to stay home (doctor, employer policy, or both).

This short prep does two things: it keeps you from rambling while you’re stressed, and it helps you avoid guessing—because guesses get treated like “facts” later.

What to say to an insurance adjuster (simple, safe, and honest)

You can be polite and still protect yourself. In most early calls, it’s enough to share basic information and keep the rest tied to records.

Stick to facts you know

Good examples:

“The crash happened on [date]. I’m still getting medical care and I’m not ready to discuss a final settlement.”

“I’m having neck and back pain that started after the crash. My doctors are evaluating me. The medical records will describe it better than I can.”

“I can share the names of the clinics I’ve been to. I’m not comfortable estimating how long this will last.”

Be careful with “I’m fine” language

Adjusters often ask something that sounds friendly, like: “How are you feeling today?”

If you say “I’m fine” because you’re trying to be polite, that line can be used later to suggest you weren’t really hurt.

A safer way to be truthful is:

“I’m managing, but I’m still in pain and still treating.”

Or:

“I’m still figuring out what’s going on medically.”

If they ask for a recorded statement

A recorded statement can lock you into details before you have the full picture. If you’re still hurting, still treating, or still waiting for imaging, you can say:

“I’m not ready to give a recorded statement right now. I can provide the basic facts and follow up after I’ve had time to get evaluated.”

If you hire a lawyer, it’s also normal to have your attorney handle communications so you can focus on recovery.

What not to do: common mistakes that shrink a real car accident claim

Most people don’t “mess up” on purpose. They’re just tired, in pain, and trying to get their car fixed. But a few common mistakes can make an injury look smaller than it is.

1) Don’t guess about your injuries

You can describe symptoms (pain, numbness, headaches, sleep problems). But try not to self-diagnose. If you guess wrong, that guess may get repeated as if it came from a doctor.

It’s okay to say: “I don’t know yet. My provider is evaluating it.”

2) Don’t give a detailed “play-by-play” if you’re unsure

It’s fair for an adjuster to want basic facts. But if you are uncertain about timing, speeds, distances, or exact wording, don’t fill in blanks just to be helpful.

Crashes happen fast. In the Peoria area, they also happen in tricky places—where highways meet surface streets, in construction and detour zones, or in winter conditions with low visibility. Small details can matter, and “I’m not sure” is a normal answer.

3) Don’t accidentally accept fault with casual words

Statements like “I didn’t see them,” “I should have…,” or “It was probably my fault too” can get treated as admissions, even when you’re just being polite.

If you truly don’t know yet, a safer answer is:

“I can share what I remember, but I’m not in a position to make conclusions about fault.”

4) Don’t sign broad medical authorizations without understanding them

Some adjusters ask for a signed medical authorization. The issue is scope.

A broad release may allow digging through years of unrelated medical history. Then the conversation turns into “This was pre-existing” instead of “This started after the crash.”

Medical records relevant to your crash should be shared. But you should understand what you are signing and what time period it covers.

5) Don’t rush to settle before your treatment picture is clear

Quick offers can be tempting when bills are coming in. But once you sign a release, you usually can’t come back later if symptoms worsen or you need more care.

This is especially important with neck, back, and soft-tissue injuries. Some improve in a few weeks. Some do not. A fair settlement usually comes from a claim that is organized like it could be proven—because insurance companies often pay more attention when the file looks ready, documented, and complete.

How to build a strong claim file (without doing anything complicated)

You do not need to be a lawyer to build a clear record. You just need consistency and good documentation.

If you want a deeper checklist of proof, this page lays it out in plain language: Common Types of Evidence in Car Accident Cases.

In the meantime, here are the “big rocks” that usually matter most:

Medical records and imaging reports matter because they create an objective timeline: when you first complained of pain, what you reported, what the exam found, what the diagnosis was, and what treatment was recommended.

Physical therapy notes matter because they often show range of motion limits, strength problems, and how symptoms change over time. They also document the effort you put into getting better.

Work notes and wage information matter if you missed work, had reduced hours, or couldn’t do the same tasks. This is often easier to prove when you start saving documents early.

Photos and basic crash information matter because they help show how the crash happened and what damage occurred. Even when vehicle damage looks “not that bad,” injuries can still be real. What matters is the medical proof and the full story.

Why adjusters ask certain questions (and what they are really trying to learn)

Many adjuster questions are designed to sort your claim into a category. Some insurance companies also use computer-guided systems to keep claim values consistent. That’s one reason adjusters ask the same set of questions again and again.

They’re usually listening for things like:

Whether your symptoms began right away or days later.

Whether you had gaps in treatment.

Whether a doctor restricted your work or activities.

Whether there is imaging or other objective support.

Whether you had prior injuries to the same body part.

None of those questions are “bad.” But if you answer them too early, while you’re still figuring out what’s happening medically, your claim can get undervalued before it’s fully understood.

Thinking about a “settlement number” without guessing

It’s normal to wonder: “What is this worth?”

A better question early on is: “What does this need to cover?”

In many cases, the value of a claim is connected to more than today’s bill. It can include follow-up visits, therapy, medications, future flare-ups, and how the injury affects daily life.

This article explains the common building blocks in plain terms: How Is My Compensation Calculated In A Personal Injury Case?

If you are still treating, it’s often too soon to “pick a number.” But it’s not too soon to document what you’re going through, keep your receipts, and make sure your medical care is consistent.

A note about “communicating in writing”

When you can, use email. It creates a clean record of what was asked, what was promised, and what was sent.

If you do have a phone call, jot down the date, time, and a few lines about what was discussed. This can help later if there’s confusion about what was said.

When it may be time to get help

Some claims are simple. Many are not.

Consider getting legal help if any of these are true:

You have ongoing neck/back pain, numbness, weakness, dizziness, or headaches.

You were told you need imaging, injections, specialist care, or long-term therapy.

The adjuster is pushing hard for a recorded statement or a fast settlement.

Fault is being disputed or you’re being blamed.

You are being offered money that doesn’t even cover the basics, or you feel pressured to sign.

Policy limits may be an issue (meaning the insurance coverage may not be enough to cover the full harm).

If you want to learn more about the legal side of car wreck cases, you can also read about our approach here: Car Accidents. And if you are in the early “what do I do now?” stage, this hub is designed to guide the next steps without overwhelming you: an Illinois car accident claim.

Talk to Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law

If you’re dealing with adjuster pressure after a crash—and you just want clear answers—we can help.

Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law
300 NE Perry Ave., Peoria, Illinois 61603
Phone: 309-673-0069
Contact us

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FAQs

Do I have to give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster?

You can ask what the statement is for and whether it’s required. If you’re still treating or still unsure about your injuries, it’s reasonable to delay and respond after you’ve had time to get medical evaluation and gather facts.

Should I sign the medical authorization the insurance company sends me?

Be cautious. Some authorizations are very broad and allow access to years of unrelated records. It’s often better to share relevant medical records tied to the crash instead of signing a blanket release, especially early in the claim.

What if I felt okay right after the crash but pain started later?

That happens often. Delayed pain can show up after adrenaline wears off. If symptoms appear, get checked and make sure your medical provider documents when the symptoms began and how they changed.

Why is the adjuster pushing me to settle quickly?

Early settlements close claims fast, before the full treatment picture is known. If you settle too early, you may be stuck paying for later care out of pocket. It’s okay to slow the process down until you understand your medical situation.

What should I do if the adjuster says my crash was “low impact” so I can’t be hurt?

Try not to argue on the phone. The better response is documentation: consistent medical notes, exam findings, therapy progress notes, imaging when appropriate, and a clear timeline of symptoms.