Insurance Adjusters Are Trained Negotiators, But Injured Victims Aren’t

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, the immediate objective is to just make it through the day with as little pain as possible. Of course, there’s also the car repairs, the missed work, the doctor appointments, and the general feeling of not knowing what’s going to happen next. It’s a lot to deal with all at once, and in the middle of it, someone calls you.

It’s an insurance adjuster, asking to “talk things through.”

The adjuster may sound pleasant, or they may sound cold. They may be persistent, or they may leave you alone for days or weeks. But they will always have one job: to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. 

One thing is for sure: Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. Injured victims are not, and below, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why that is the case.

Insurance Adjusters Know the Playing Field 

Insurance adjusters are professionals. Their careers and reputations rise and fall based on how well they assess claims and settle them with the lowest possible payouts. They are trained in many of the same tactics as trial lawyers, and they know the law. They know how claims work and always understand the limits of their clients’ policies.

Injured victims, on the other hand, often talk to an insurance adjuster for the first time after a traumatic event. Such individuals who are dealing with injuries are in pain, shock, and are often a complete mess. And unfortunately, accident victims are often financially stressed, with every phone call representing the next pile of bills they can’t afford to pay. Injured victims often don’t know how claims work, what the law requires, or how their policies read. 

Sadly, all of this is not by accident. Insurance adjusters work within an established system to achieve their goals. But accident victims can get on a more level playing field with the help of a skilled personal injury attorney.

Like it or Not, Insurance Adjusters Have an Inherent Advantage 

Insurance adjusters are given wide latitude to protect their companies. An adjuster can ask questions, contact individuals, request records, and more. But it is important to note that they cannot force injured people to talk.  

Insurance companies often say or do things to show that they are attempting to “level the playing field,” but an equal playing field requires both sides to have equal opportunities to compete. Insurance adjusters have insurance companies behind them, large legal teams in their corner, and years of experience under their belts. 

Injured people do not—at least not usually. But, with the help of a skilled injury attorney, you can go head-to-head with even the best of insurance adjusters and get the justice and financial compensation you deserve.

How a “Casual Conversation” Can Determine the Value of Your Claim

When an adjuster calls, many people think, “I just have to explain what happened.” The problem is that most of the real “negotiating” has already happened.

Insurance adjusters know how to ask questions. They know what to listen for. And they will use that information to try to pay less. The lowballing often happens quickly. And admitting you are “feeling a little better” can later be used to imply your injuries were never serious, even if you end up in worse condition a week later. 

Providing a recorded statement on your own might seem simple, but that recording can be used to attack your credibility, find inconsistencies in your story, or otherwise damage your claim.

Once you say it, you can’t take it back—and insurance adjusters know that. 

Reminder: The Insurance Adjuster is Working For the Insurance Company, Not For You

Insurance adjusters often make early settlement offers. It’s a time-honored tactic: Make an offer to “help” the injured person before the case is fully valued and while medical bills are already stacking up. If the offer is reasonable, injured people are often willing to accept it without hesitation, depending on their circumstances.

In reality, once a settlement is made, the case is closed. When that occurs, injured parties are no longer entitled to payments for future medical treatment. They will not get compensation for ongoing pain. They will not receive compensation for their future inability to work.  

Insurance adjusters know many tricks of the trade, and they work on behalf of a business. And businesses make a profit by reducing costs. 

Information is Power, and Insurance Adjusters Know Where the Information Is

Insurance adjusters know the types of information that can help them value a claim. In fact, adjusters know what information they need so well that they often seek it out themselves.

Victims, meanwhile, often have no idea of the power they have or how to use it. This is a function of how the system is set up. No one teaches people about insurance adjusters and their tactics. No one explains why it’s so important to go to those doctor appointments, even if you’re “feeling better,” or why you shouldn’t accept a settlement that seems fair “for now.” Accident victims didn’t know these things—until now. Choosing to work with a well-versed personal injury attorney will help give you the upper hand when dealing with insurers.

Insurance Adjusters Don’t Play Fair With the Rules

Insurance adjusters are part of a system. They are trained, credentialed, and supported. They have their own resources, years of experience, and some of the best lawyers in the business. Injured victims don’t have any of that when an accident initially happens. But that can quickly change when they choose to seek legal guidance from a skilled injury attorney. 

Insurance adjusters may act like they want to help. But they will say whatever they need to say to get what they need to get.   

Help Is Available—Reach Out to Our Team of Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys Today for Immediate Assistance

Insurance adjusters are experts at handling injury claims. Injured victims usually aren’t. The fact that these two groups often find themselves on opposing sides of a table isn’t an accident. It’s how the system is designed. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s an admission that the playing field has been designed to tip in the insurance company’s favor. But it can be tipped back with the right help. Contact our office right away to discuss your case and get the help you need to ensure your rights are respected and protected.