Among the many things you’ll likely have to do after a New Braunfels car accident, dealing with an insurance adjuster is one task you’ll want to handle with a clear head – and, ideally, with the help of an experienced car accident attorney. Otherwise, you risk falling prey to some common insurance adjuster tactics designed to minimize your claim and reduce your compensation.
Who Is the Insurance Adjuster—and Whose Side Are They On?
The insurance adjuster is an insurance company employee tasked with gathering information and settling claims after collisions. While the adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, it’s important to understand that they aren’t on your side. They’re employed by the insurance company and trained to protect the insurer’s profits at your expense.
The insurer’s primary goal is to minimize payouts on claims, and it deploys teams of adjusters and attorneys to achieve this. The other driver’s insurance adjuster may contact you, and you should be cautious in these interactions.
What to Do Before Speaking with an Insurance Adjuster
Before responding to any adjuster calls, be prepared and cautious about what you say. At the start of any communication, gather the adjuster’s name, company, phone number, and claim number. You can request that all communications with the insurance company and insurance adjuster be in writing to protect your interests. Document everything related to your accident and all communications with insurance adjusters, including dates, times, and the content of conversations. Do not admit fault—even casual statements like “I’m sorry” can be treated as admissions of liability.
Before returning any calls from insurance adjusters, take time to review the facts of the crash and gather all relevant documents, including the police report and your medical records. If the adjuster asks you to give a recorded statement, decline to do so until you have an attorney present. If you haven’t already secured legal representation, consider reaching out to a car accident attorney right away.
What You Should (and Should NOT) Say to an Adjuster
Any time you’re speaking with an insurance adjuster, stick to basic facts, such as the date and location of the crash. Be polite, but keep your answers brief. Don’t speculate about fault, minimize the severity of your injuries, or say you “feel fine.” Avoid agreeing to give a recorded statement, and don’t accept a quick settlement offer. If you’re unsure about how to answer a question, it’s reasonable to say you need more time or want legal guidance before responding.
Being cautious in your communications with insurance adjusters is essential to protect your ability to recover compensation. You should never sign a medical authorization form or release of claims without legal review, as doing so could jeopardize your rights. Before agreeing to any settlement, make sure to explore all your legal options to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Tactics Insurance Adjusters Use
Insurance companies train their adjusters on how to limit payouts. When pursuing an insurance claim after a crash, you may run into strategies designed to reduce the value of your case or pressure you into settling quickly. To protect your rights, it’s important to recognize these common tactics adjusters might employ during your discussion:
- Requesting a recorded statement early in the process to look for inconsistencies and to deny or reduce your claim
- Misrepresenting the law or your policy to discourage you from seeking legal representation or to limit their costs
- Using leading questions to elicit admissions of fault or shift blame to you
- Offering a quick, lowball settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries
- Downplaying your medical treatment or suggesting your injuries are not serious
- Conducting surveillance on claimants with significant injuries to gather evidence against them
- Delaying your claim in hopes that financial stress pushes you to accept less than you deserve
Recognizing these tactics and understanding the process can help you protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
When Should You Let a Lawyer Handle the Insurance Company?
You have enough on your plate as it is after a car accident. You shouldn’t also have to navigate tricky and risky conversations with insurance adjusters that could jeopardize your claim. Instead, turn to an experienced New Braunfels car accident attorney right away for the legal protection you need.
Having legal representation can level the playing field against insurance companies that have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize payouts. An experienced attorney can fully document your injuries and future needs, negotiate for maximum compensation, and file a personal injury lawsuit if the offer is inadequate.
At Burch Law Firm, we’ve supported injured people for over 30 years during every stage of their car accident claims, and we have substantial experience pushing back against insurance adjusters’ tactics designed to prevent you from recovering the full, fair compensation you deserve. Contact us right away to discuss your case for free and let a skilled attorney handle conversations with insurance adjusters while you focus on healing.
