Sometimes, in order to intimidate an accident victm into settling their case early (and to waive their right to compensation for future medical care, should it become necessary,) an insurance adjuster will threaten to “close the file.”
What does this mean?
A threat to “close the file” means absolutely nothing. In every state there is a statute of limitations within which you must actually file a lawsuit if you’ve been injured in a car accident. In Virginia that time limit is two years. Even if an insurance adjuster “closes the file” you may still hire an attorney and either submit a demand to the insurance company or file a lawsuit. This must be done within a two-year period and nothing more.
Many car accident claimants seek out an attorney after they have been misled or lied to by an insurance adjuster. This does not mean that all insurance adjusters are out there to lie and mislead but it is amazing the stories that I hear from claimants who look for an attorney only after having been verbally abused by a claims adjuster. Telling the claimant that they will “close the file” in an effort to force the claimant to sign forms or settle their claim early is an intimidation tactic
