Ryan Bradley | October 23, 2025 | Car Accident \ Missouri Law
Key Takeaways:
- You don’t have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. Missouri law doesn’t require you to give recorded statements or answer questions from the at-fault driver’s insurer. Remember that anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
- Early settlement offers are usually too low. Insurance adjusters may make quick, lowball offers before you know the full extent of your injuries and expenses. Once you accept and sign a release, you can’t ask for more compensation later.
- A lawyer stops adjuster calls. Bradley Law knows how to deal with insurance adjusters in Missouri. Let us handle all communication with insurance companies to protect your rights while you’re recovering.
The insurance adjuster sounds friendly and caring when they ask how you’re feeling and whether you’ve seen a doctor. The conversation feels like they’re on your side. But they’re not your friend.
Remember that auto insurance adjusters work for their employer’s best interests, and their job is to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. Every question they ask has a purpose, and they are fishing for information to minimize or deny your claim.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Missouri, understanding how to deal with insurance adjusters is critical for your compensation claim. This guide provides Missouri insurance claim tips and explains how Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers protects your rights from day one.
Why Insurance Adjusters Call You
The adjuster calls early because they want your statement before you talk to a lawyer. They want you to downplay your injuries or admit partial fault. And once they have that recorded statement, they’ll use it as evidence to deny your claim or minimize your payout.
Missouri is an at-fault state (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 379.203). That means the driver who caused your accident is financially responsible for your damages. Their insurance company may owe you compensation for accident-related medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
And the moment your accident is reported, the insurance company creates a “reserve” on the claim. This is the amount the insurer sets aside to pay you. The adjuster’s job is to evaluate your claim, determine how much the company will pay, and close the file.
But adjusters are evaluated on how far below the reserve they can settle. So they may aim to pay you $25,000 on a $50,000 reserve to preserve an insurer’s profits. It’s a win for them, but a big loss for you.
Common Insurance Adjuster Tactics
Insurance companies use common tactics, and recognizing them helps you avoid the traps. Here are some of the strategies adjusters use to reduce or deny your claim:
- Quick lowball offers by adjusters. The adjuster calls with an offer while you’re still recovering. Once you accept and sign a release, you can’t reopen the claim, even if your injuries later turn out more severe and require further healthcare expenses.
- Fishing for inconsistencies. Adjusters ask casual questions and compare your answers to the police report, looking for anything that doesn’t match. One small inconsistency could be used as evidence that you’re lying.
- Requesting broad medical authorizations. Insurers may ask you to sign a release to verify your treatment, but these forms give them access to your entire medical history. And now, they’re trying to unearth preexisting conditions to deny you the settlement you deserve.
- Delaying your claim. Some adjusters go silent for weeks, ignoring your calls. Meanwhile, Missouri’s statute of limitations (the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit) is ticking. Don’t forget: you only have five years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120.
- Blaming preexisting injuries or shared fault. Missouri follows pure comparative fault (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.765). This means if you’re found 30% at fault, your compensation drops by 30%. And if you don’t have a lawyer in your corner, adjusters may try to assign you a higher degree of fault.
- Monitoring your social media. Auto insurance adjusters often check Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for photos or posts they can use against victims. Even innocent posts, such as photos showing you attending a family gathering, may serve as evidence that your injuries aren’t serious.
Insurance adjusters get away with using these tactics in Missouri because most people are oblivious to what’s happening. The adjuster seems helpful, and you want to cooperate. And before you realize it, you’ve said something that costs you thousands of dollars.
The Truth About Recorded Statements in Missouri
Here’s the crucial truth about statements: you are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company in Missouri.
Don’t let an adjuster tell you otherwise. They might try to get a recorded statement out of you by saying it’s standard procedure or even required to process your claim. This is not true, and you can (and should) politely decline a recorded statement.
Recorded statements will be used against you. The adjuster isn’t recording the call to help you, but they are asking you questions to trip you up and justify denying your claim or paying you less. And once the statement is recorded, it’s permanent evidence and can’t be erased.
There are safer alternatives to recorded statements. For example, you can provide written facts, photos, and police reports. If you have a lawyer, you can send a statement through them. Our Missouri personal injury lawyers know what information helps your case and what hurts it. They’ll protect you from trick questions and keep the adjuster focused on facts.
Should You Give a Statement to Your Own Insurer?
Your own insurance company is different. If you’re filing a claim under your policy, such as uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, collision, or MedPay, your policy likely requires you to cooperate with the investigation. That can include giving a statement. But you have rights here, too. For example, you can have a lawyer present and limit the scope of questions.
What to Say (and Not Say) to Adjusters
If an adjuster calls before you’ve hired a lawyer, protect yourself without appearing uncooperative. Limit what you say to basic, factual information that can’t be misinterpreted. Remember that every detail you share becomes part of your claim file, and adjusters are trained to use your own words against you.
Here’s what’s safe to share with adjusters:
- Basic facts, such as date, time, and location of the accident
- Names of the people involved
- Your contact information
- That you’re still evaluating your injuries
Don’t discuss this when an adjuster calls you after an accident:
- How you’re feeling or your pain levels
- Details about your injuries or treatment
- Whether you’ve seen a doctor or plan to
- How the accident happened
- How much time you’ve missed from work
- Whether you had any prior injuries
- What you were doing before or after the crash
When the insurer calls, they will probably try to get you to talk about things you shouldn’t be discussing without a lawyer’s protection. Here’s a phrase you can use to end the conversation politely but firmly: “I’m not comfortable answering questions without speaking to a lawyer first. Please send any future communication in writing or call my attorney.”
How a Lawyer Protects You and Takes Over Communication
When you hire a Missouri personal injury lawyer, you’re immediately protected. A letter of representation goes to the insurance companies involved in your case, legally requiring them to stop contacting you directly. All communication now flows through your attorney, and you won’t be pressured to settle before you understand what your case is worth.
Here’s how legal representation protects your claim:
- A letter of representation stops direct adjuster contact. Once your attorney sends this letter, insurance companies must communicate only with your lawyer. Any attempt to contact you violates professional standards.
- Protecting your words from getting twisted. Your attorney decides what information gets shared and when. Insurance companies don’t get broad access to your medical history or the opportunity to misinterpret your words.
- Valuing the full worth of your claim. Adjusters throw out numbers hoping you’ll accept them. Attorneys calculate what your case is actually worth based on your damages and how similar cases have been decided in Missouri courts.
- Fighting lowball offers with proof and expertise. Experienced lawyers know Missouri case law and how to use statements from expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction professionals, to strengthen your case.
- Preparing for trial. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, your lawyer files a lawsuit and builds toward trial, preparing to present your case to a judge or jury.
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over 20 years handling insurance negotiations and trials in Missouri. Our founder, E. Ryan Bradley, used to defend insurance companies and knows every trick in their playbook. And insurance companies know we’ve won record-breaking settlements and don’t shy away from going to trial.
Missouri-Specific Issues to Know
Understanding Missouri car accident law helps you avoid costly mistakes. Here is some of the crucial local information to know:
- Pure comparative fault. Missouri law allows you to recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 40% responsible for the crash and awards $100,000 in damages, you’ll receive only $60,000.
- Statute of limitations. You generally have five years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri. However, for wrongful death claims, the deadline is only three years from the date of death (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.100). These deadlines are strict. If you miss them, you could lose your right to sue, even if you have a strong case.
- MedPay coverage. Medical Payments (MedPay) is optional coverage on your auto insurance policy. It pays for medical bills and funeral expenses up to your policy limit, regardless of fault. MedPay helps cover immediate costs while your injury claim is pending.
- High-risk Missouri roads. St. Louis and Kansas City see thousands of crashes every year. MoDOT tracks crash data across Missouri’s highway system, and major interstates like I-70, I-44, and I-270 are high-traffic corridors where serious accidents are common. Heavy traffic, high speeds, and commercial trucks make these interstates particularly dangerous.
Step-by-Step: If an Adjuster Has Already Called
Maybe the adjuster already called and caught you off guard. You answered a few questions, and now you’re worried you said the wrong thing. Here’s what you can do to protect your rights:
- Step 1: Stop talking to them. If they call again, say: “I’ve decided not to provide any more information without legal advice. Please send all future communication in writing to my attorney.” Then politely end the call.
- Step 2: Gather your documents. Collect all evidence related to the accident, like the police report, photos of vehicle damage and the scene, medical records, and any written communication from the insurance company. Organize it all in a folder for easy access.
- Step 3: Call Bradley Law before you sign anything. Insurance companies will send settlement offers and release forms. Don’t sign any documents without letting us review them first. Remember that once you sign a release, you give up your right to pursue additional compensation.
- Step 4: Let us take over. We can handle all communication with the insurance company, collect additional evidence needed to prove your case, negotiate a fair settlement, and file a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement.
The sooner you call us, the easier it is to fix any damage from earlier conversations. Even if you’ve already given a recorded statement or made mistakes, we can still find ways to strengthen your case. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
FAQs
Do I have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
No. You’re not legally required to speak with or give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney, who can handle the insurer while protecting your best interests.
How long do I have to file a claim in Missouri?
You generally have five years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the date of death. If you have a claim against a government entity, you typically must file a written notice within 90 days of the incident.
What if I already gave a recorded statement?
It’s not ideal, but doesn’t necessarily sink your case. But it’s now crucial to get an attorney into your corner to protect your legal rights. Contact Bradley Law, and we can review what you said, assess the impact, and build the strongest case possible.
What if I might be partially at fault for the accident?
You can still recover compensation in Missouri even if you share some fault. Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you won’t be barred from recovery entirely. A Missouri personal injury lawyer can argue your case and fight to maximize your compensation.
How much does it cost to hire Bradley Law?
You don’t pay anything upfront when we take your case. Bradley Law works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case and you recover damages. There’s no financial risk to you for getting professional legal representation.
Why Choose Bradley Law?
Dealing with insurance adjusters after a car accident feels overwhelming, especially if you’re recovering from injuries. The last thing you need is pressure from an adjuster calling every few days and pressuring you to settle. Here’s how we can take that burden off your shoulders:
- We handle insurer communication from day one. Once you hire us, adjusters deal with our team. You’re free to concentrate on your recovery. And you’re in good hands: we know insurers’ tactics and focus on getting you paid.
- We’re Missouri-focused advocates. Bradley Law has spent over 20 years representing injury victims in St. Louis, Kansas City, and throughout Missouri and Illinois. We know the local courts, judges, and defense lawyers. And our case results speak for themselves: we’ve recovered over $100 million for our local clients.
- Bradley Law is always trial-ready. Some personal injury firms settle every case because they’re just looking for a quick check. Not Bradley Law. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know this, and it changes how they negotiate.
Don’t let an insurance company cheat you out of the settlement you need and deserve. Get experienced legal representation on your side and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Get Your Free Consultation with Bradley Law Today
If an insurance adjuster has already contacted you, requesting a recorded statement, or if you’re about to file a claim and want to protect yourself from the start, get in touch with Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers today.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case and explain your rights under Missouri law. There’s no fee unless we win.