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7 Things to Know About Dealing with Insurance Adjusters After a Crash

On Behalf of | Jul 6, 2021 | Firm News

In the days and weeks following a crash, it can be challenging for claimants to understand their rights. In addition, you have to deal with your physical injuries, financial hardships, and emotional trauma. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters don’t make it any easier, even though they’re supposed to help people after a car accident.

Because our team at Shevlin Smith cares about your rights, we want to help you understand some of the most important things you should know about dealing with insurance adjusters. After a crash, make sure you know what to expect and how to move forward without insurance companies trying to take advantage of your rights.

Here are 7 things to know about dealing with insurance adjusters after a collision:

  • You should have a lawyer on your side first.
  • Insurance adjusters act friendly for a reason.
  • Insurance companies hire adjusters to protect profits.
  • You may value your losses differently than insurance companies.
  • Settlement offers are not always what they seem.
  • Insurance adjusters use devious tactics to take advantage of your vulnerability.
  • You don’t have to speak with insurance adjusters alone.
  • Before anything else, call our firm at 703-721-4233, and we’ll help you every step of the way.

  • You Should Have a Lawyer On Your Side First
  • Before anything else, one of the most vital steps you can take is getting legal counsel on your side. When you have a lawyer, you can protect yourself from some of the common pitfalls of making a claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies want you to make a mistake because it helps them safeguard their bottom line.

    A lawyer can provide you with:

    • Evidence regarding your claim
    • Proper evaluations from professionals to determine your losses
    • Guidance throughout the process to decide if and when to accept a settlement
  • Insurance Adjusters Act Friendly for a Reason
  • When you hear from an insurance adjuster, they’re going to sound friendly. They’ll empathize with your situation. But, while they may seem nice, it’s not always genuine. They want to befriend you so that you listen to what they have to say. Sometimes, they’ll tell you that you don’t need a lawyer for your claim and that they’ll help you get through it quickly.

    In many cases, they hope you don’t know your rights when they act friendly.

  • Insurance Companies Hire Adjusters to Protect Profits
  • Insurance adjusters have the task of protecting profits for the company. While insurance companies accept high premiums, they don’t always focus on their claimants. Instead, they focus on their profits and paying out as little as possible. The insurance adjusters they hire work to prioritize money over people, so they’re not always looking out for your rights.

  • You May Value Your Losses Differently Than Insurance Companies
  • It can be challenging to value some of your losses; however, your legal team will work with professionals in various industries to determine the right amount for you. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters may value your losses much differently, and they’ll try to pay you less than you deserve for your injuries.

  • Settlement Offers Are Not Always What They Seem
  • When insurance adjusters want to get through a situation quickly, they often offer you a settlement. Unfortunately, the amount they offer you hardly ever meets your expectations. Once you accept this settlement, you give up your right to seek additional compensation through a lawsuit, so be sure to speak with your legal team before accepting anything.

    A good settlement should cover the following:

    • Medical expenses
    • Lost income
    • Property damage
    • Emotional damages

    If you feel the settlement offer doesn’t meet your standards, speak with an attorney about pursuing further compensation.

  • Insurance Adjusters Use Devious Tactics to Take Advantage of Your Vulnerability
  • When insurance adjusters feel a claim threatens their profits, they use tactics that take advantage of claimants during a vulnerable time. For instance, they record statements and use them to minimize or deny claims. They can also misconstrue what claimants say to avoid high settlement amounts.

  • You Don’t Have to Speak with Insurance Adjusters Alone
  • Remember, insurance adjusters are trained professionals. They protect a business and its profits by denying rightful claims. The most effective way they deny claims? They speak with claimants alone. Unfortunately, many claimants don’t know their rights, and what their case is worth, so they rely on the insurance adjuster’s expertise to get through the process.

    Never go through the process alone. Even if insurance adjusters say you don’t need a lawyer, it’s in your best interests to have legal counsel deal with professionals on your behalf. Get a lawyer to navigate claims with your best interests in mind.

    When it comes to handling claims and seeking rightful compensation, Shevlin Smith works hard on your behalf. We know how difficult it is to deal with insurance adjusters in the aftermath of a car accident. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for claimants to get through the process with their rights intact.

    Our Fairfax car accident attorneys aim to give you a voice against negligence. We work to hold responsible parties accountable while also keeping insurance adjusters honest. It’s our top priority to help you recognize your rights and protect you from some of the common tactics that insurance adjusters use to deny claims.

    Need help filing a claim? Trust our team to be your advocates every step of the way. Call us today at 703-721-4233 and speak with a legal professional in a free consultation.

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