Should You Talk to the Insurance Adjuster? Las Vegas Guide

Woman talking on the phone at an office desk

You are not required to give the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement. You can keep the call short, share basic contact and claim details, and talk to a lawyer before you discuss your injuries, sign anything, or accept an offer.

The Sookiassian Firm is a Las Vegas personal injury and business law firm in Downtown Summerlin. Attorney Jaklin Sookiassian is licensed in Nevada and New York and speaks English and Armenian. We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian).

After a crash, the calls and letters can start within days. This guide explains who is calling, what you can share, what to hold back, and how recorded statements, medical forms, and early settlement offers work in Nevada.

Who the Adjuster Works For (and Why It Matters)

An insurance adjuster investigates and evaluates a claim for an insurance company. After a Las Vegas crash, you may hear from more than one insurer. Your own company can also play different roles depending on the claim.

The other driver's insurer. When you make a claim against the at-fault driver, it goes to that driver's liability insurer. This is often called a third-party claim. The adjuster works for that insurer, not for you.

Your own insurer for vehicle damage or medical payments. If you have collision or medical payments (med-pay) coverage, you may open a claim with your own company. Your policy is a contract, and it may require you to cooperate with your insurer's investigation.

Your own insurer on an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim. If the other driver has little or no insurance, your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply. On that claim, you are asking your own insurer to pay for your injuries, and its adjuster evaluates the claim. Under NRS 687B.145(2), Nevada auto insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and under NRS 690B.020, uninsured motorist coverage is included in a policy unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. If you have this coverage, your own policy may help cover losses the other driver's insurance does not. Our car accident lawyer page explains more.

Rideshare crashes can involve even more insurers. See our guide to Uber and Lyft accidents in Las Vegas.

Crumpled hood of a car damaged in a collision

Do You Have to Talk to the Other Driver's Insurance Company?

You are not required to give the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement. The adjuster works for the other driver's insurer, and you can give basic contact information, ask for the claim number, and ask that any questions be sent to you in writing.

Be careful about giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before you understand your rights.

What You Can Share on a First Call

On a first call, these basics are usually enough:

Your name, phone number, and email
The date of the crash and the general location
Your claim number, and the adjuster's name, phone number, and email (ask for these)
That you are getting medical care
That you would like any questions sent to you in writing

Write down the date and time of each call and the name of the person you spoke with.

A Simple Script

If you are not sure what to say, you can use something like this:

"I'm still getting medical care. I'm not ready to give a recorded statement or discuss my injuries. Please send any questions in writing."

You can then end the call politely without explaining further.

What Not to Say to an Insurance Adjuster

Adjusters are often friendly and professional. Still, the call is part of the insurer's review of the claim. Some practical points:

Don't guess. If you aren't sure about speed, distance, or timing, say you don't know. A guess can end up in the claim file as if it were a fact.
Don't say "I'm fine." Some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms, and a quick "I'm okay" may not match what your doctor finds later.
Don't get into your medical history. Keep the conversation to the crash. Older injuries and conditions are a topic for your doctor and your lawyer.
Be careful with apologies. Saying "I'm sorry" is a natural reaction, but it can sound like you are accepting fault.
Don't agree to a recorded statement on the first call. You can ask what it would cover and say you will get back to them.
Don't post about the crash. Anyone can read public posts about the crash or your activities, including the insurance company.

Fault matters in Nevada. You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. That is one more reason not to guess about who caused the crash. Learn more in our guide to comparative negligence in Nevada.

Man reviewing an insurance claim letter at his kitchen table

Recorded Statements: What They Are and When They Come Up

A recorded statement is a question-and-answer session that the adjuster records, usually by phone. The recording becomes part of the claim file. Questions often cover how the crash happened, your injuries, and your medical history.

The Other Driver's Insurer Asks

You are not required to give the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement. You can say no or ask to wait.

Your Own Insurer Asks

Your own insurer is different. Your policy may include a cooperation clause that requires you to help with the company's investigation, which can include giving a statement. Refusing a request from your own insurer may affect your coverage, so check your policy before you say no. You can ask what topics the statement will cover and schedule it for a time when you are prepared. You can also talk to a lawyer before you give it.

Driver on a phone call with an insurance adjuster from his car

Medical Authorizations, Releases, and Forms

Don't sign forms, releases, or medical authorizations you haven't fully understood, especially if they're only in English. Ask for time to have them explained.

Broad Medical Authorizations

An insurer may send a form that lets it request your medical records. Some forms cover only the crash and your treatment for it. Others are broad enough to reach years of unrelated history, such as old injuries or past conditions. Before signing, check which records the form covers, which dates, and how long the permission lasts.

A "Release" Usually Ends the Claim

A settlement release is the document you sign in exchange for a settlement payment. Signing it generally ends your claim against the people and companies it releases, even if your injuries later turn out to be worse than you thought. Read any release carefully and get advice before you sign it.

Person signing a settlement release form at a desk

Early Settlement Offers

Sometimes an offer arrives soon after the crash, before you or your doctors know the full extent of your injuries. An early offer is not necessarily unfair, but it is hard to judge any offer without the full picture.

Before you evaluate an offer, it helps to have:

A diagnosis and treatment plan from your doctor
Your medical bills so far
Records of missed work and lost pay
Repair estimates or the total-loss valuation for your vehicle

Once you accept an offer and sign a release, you usually cannot reopen the claim for costs that come up later.

For questions about what a claim may include, read how much a car accident case is worth in Nevada and our guide to personal injury damages in Nevada.

Nevada's Unfair Claims Practices Law

Nevada law lists certain insurer practices as unfair. Under NRS 686A.310(1), they include "advising an insured or claimant not to seek legal counsel" and "misleading an insured or claimant concerning any applicable statute of limitations." The list also includes "failing to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements of claims in which liability of the insurer has become reasonably clear." This does not mean any particular insurer or adjuster is acting unfairly. The statute refers to the Nevada Insurance Commissioner's rights and remedies, and subsection 2 makes an insurer liable to "its insured" for damages caused by these practices. If you have concerns about how a claim is being handled, talk to a lawyer.

Deadlines Still Run While You Talk to the Insurer

How long you have to file: Generally two years from the date of the injury for a personal injury lawsuit (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Some claims have different or additional requirements. Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law. It's best to talk to a lawyer promptly.

Talking or negotiating with an adjuster does not, by itself, pause that deadline.

When to Let a Lawyer Handle the Calls

It may make sense to talk to a lawyer before going further with an insurer when:

The injuries are serious or treatment is ongoing
Fault is disputed
More than one insurer is involved
An adjuster is pressing for a recorded statement or a signature
The claim involves your own UM/UIM coverage
The calls and forms are not in the language you are most comfortable in

Once you have a lawyer, you can ask the insurer to send all communication to your lawyer, so you don't have to handle the calls yourself while you recover. Learn more about our personal injury practice.

Talking to Insurers in Your Language

Insurance calls, letters, and forms are often in English. If you are more comfortable in another language, take your time.

Don't sign forms, releases, or medical authorizations you haven't fully understood, especially if they're only in English. Ask for time to have them explained.

We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian). See our pages for Armenian-speaking clients, Russian-speaking clients, and Farsi-speaking clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement?

You are not required to give the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement. You can share basic contact and claim details and ask that any questions be sent in writing.

What if my own insurance company asks for a statement?

Your policy may require you to cooperate with your insurer's investigation, which can include a statement. Check your policy and get advice before you refuse or schedule it.

Can I talk to the adjuster about my car damage only?

Often, yes. You can keep the conversation to the vehicle and avoid discussing your injuries or fault. If you're asked to sign anything for the vehicle, read it first to make sure it covers only the vehicle.

Should I accept the first settlement offer?

It is hard to judge any offer before you understand your injuries, treatment and costs. Once you sign a release, the claim is usually over.

The adjuster said I don't need a lawyer. Is that allowed?

Nevada's unfair claims practices statute, NRS 686A.310(1)(o), lists "advising an insured or claimant not to seek legal counsel" as an unfair practice. You can talk to a lawyer at any point.

Does talking to the insurance company stop the deadline to sue?

No. The deadline to file a lawsuit generally keeps running. Generally two years from the date of the injury for a personal injury lawsuit (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Some claims have different or additional requirements. Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law. It's best to talk to a lawyer promptly.

What if I'm more comfortable speaking Armenian, Russian, or Farsi?

Don't sign forms, releases, or medical authorizations you haven't fully understood, especially if they're only in English. Ask for time to have them explained. We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian).

How much does a consultation cost?

Consultations are free. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee is a percentage of any recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee. You may still be responsible for case costs, and in some cases a client may be liable for the opposing party's fees and costs if the case is lost.

Is an Insurance Adjuster Calling You?

Is an insurance adjuster calling you after a Las Vegas crash? Call (702) 518-8584 or request a free consultation before you give a statement or sign anything.

Request a Free Consultation · Call (702) 518-8584

No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.

The Sookiassian Firm · Downtown Summerlin, 1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, Las Vegas, NV 89135 · Monday–Sunday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM · We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian).

This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not intended as specific legal advice for any individual case or situation. See our Terms of Service & Attorney Disclaimer.

Jaklin Sookiassian

Jaklin Sookiassian is the founding attorney of The Sookiassian Firm, a Las Vegas personal injury and business law practice. She is admitted to the Nevada and New York bars and previously practiced corporate finance at Fried Frank in New York. Learn more about Jaklin.

Should You Talk to the Insurance Adjuster After a Las Vegas Car Accident?