How to Deal with an Insurance Adjuster on Your Personal Injury Claim

When you sustain an injury either in a car crash, at a medical facility, or on someone else’s property, you will likely need to deal with the other party’s insurance company. Therefore, it is essential to understand how to deal with the insurance adjuster for the other party.

Per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention:

• About 3 million people sustain non-fatal injuries in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. each year.
• In 2017, productivity losses and medical costs resulting from motor vehicle injuries and deaths surpassed $75 billion.

As a result, the need to work with insurance adjusters is ever-present. It is imperative to know how to ensure you get a fair deal in the process.

One: How to talk to adjusters

If and when you talk to a claims adjuster, stick to the facts without embellishing the story or its details. Avoid trying to estimate or assuming things about what caused the accident. Avoid saying something that gives the false impression you weren’t paying attention when driving. If you give the insurance company ammunition, it may claim the accident could have been prevented by you.

Adjusters may ask for recorded statements from claimants to gather details about the case for documentation. However, it is important to beware that adjusters may also use such a statement to obtain evidence that helps reduce the potential settlement of your claim or eliminate it altogether. Always speak with your attorney before providing a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster.

Two: Remember where the adjuster’s loyalties lie

The role of the adjuster is to investigate the case and produce a report that determines the worth of your claim. Although an adjuster may appear friendly and cordial, it is important to understand that he or she is working for the insurer and its interests, not your interests. The goal of the adjuster is to minimize the amount you receive and make sure the case is settled outside of litigation in court.

Three: Understand what kind of data goes into offers from an insurance company

The factors considered by the adjuster in determining the worth of your personal injury claim include:

• Accumulated expenses during the case such as vehicle damages or medical bills – those expenses you have paid or are expected to pay in the near future.
• The consequences of the accident on you, such as scarring, permanent injury, stress, depression, or a potential shortening of your life.
• Any other negative consequences on you from the accident.
• The strength of your case and the limits of your insurance policy.

The way the insurance company calculates these claims differs from how we calculate a claim. While some numbers will be the same, such as the exact costs for your immediate care, others will vary. The insurance company wants to pay the least amount of money possible on your claim. We want to ensure an outcome that is not only just, but also ensures that you can care for yourself and your loved ones in the future.

It can be intimidating to deal with an insurance adjuster in the aftermath of a personal injury. The Maryland personal injury attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. have your back from start to finish. We are committed to pursuing the compensation you are owed for your wrongful injuries due to another party’s negligence. To setup a free case review, call us today at 410.730.7737 or complete our contact form.