Car accidents are difficult for many reasons. After an accident, one potential source of frustration is the insurance company and its representatives. The insurance company of the driver at fault typically pays for car crash damages. Insurance adjusters can feel like a major impediment to getting the compensation you deserve after a crash.
What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do?
For accident victims, the important thing to remember is that the insurance company (even your own) is not on your side. Insurance companies are in business to make money, like every other company. They don’t make money by paying full compensation in a timely manner. The insurance adjuster is there to limit their expenditure by paying you as little as possible.
When you file a claim with an insurance company, they assign an adjuster to the case. The adjuster investigates the claim and decides whether the insurance company should deny the claim or pay it and how much the payment should be.
A key part of the adjuster’s job is to review the insurance policy or policies in light of the details of your claim. If the adjuster can find a way out of paying the claim, the insurance company will consider that a win. In some cases, an adjuster will even say an accident is not covered by the policy when, in reality, it is.
Beyond reviewing the coverage in the policy, the adjuster might also contact witnesses, review police reports and speak to anyone involved in the accident. Accident victims need to be careful when talking to the insurance adjuster. If the adjuster can interpret a statement in a way that avoids liability, they’ll do so.
Watch Out for Early Settlement Offers
There are many tricks an adjuster can use to avoid paying full compensation. Among the most common is the early settlement offer. If the adjuster knows the company will have to pay, they can offer far less than the full value of the claim. If you accept the offer, you can’t come back later and ask for more.
But a serious car accident can put victims and their families under terrible pressure. Medical bills pile up quickly. Serious accidents generally put the victim out of work for weeks, months or even permanently. An early offer can be incredibly tempting when you’re in a dire financial situation.
Multiple Claims Adjusters
It’s not unusual for the insurance company to use different claims adjusters, depending on whether there is litigation. The insurance company may change its stance at that point. If you don’t receive a fair offer, taking the matter to court may be your only option.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You
Insurance adjusters know how to protect their employers. You need someone on your side to make sure they don’t take advantage of you. At The Fell Law Firm, our Dallas car accident lawyers can take on the insurance companies. Call us at 972-450-1418 to discuss your case in an initial consultation.
