Although insurance adjusters often show up with a smile on their face and a kind word after you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to remember that adjusters are not there to protect your interests. An insurance adjuster’s job is to protect the interests of the insurance company. In fact, this often means that they push accident victims to avoid hiring a Long Island personal injury lawyer who could help with their case. One common tactic adjusters use to achieve this goal involves treating claimants with false friendliness and empty reassurances. If you are concerned about how to negotiate with an insurance adjuster after filing a car accident claim, it is crucial you work with one of our trusted lawyers who help recover fair compensation for your losses.
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our team of New York personal injury attorneys understand the physical, mental, and financial toll car accidents can take on individuals and their loved ones. Our mission is to provide our clients with trusted legal guidance and personalized attention throughout every step of their New York personal injury case. With our New York legal team by your side, you can focus on your recovery while we negotiate with the insurance adjusters and pursue a successful outcome for your claim.
Navigating Communication With an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident
Some insurance companies have developed scripts for adjusters to follow in order to persuade accident victims not to call an attorney. While some of these reassurances might be genuine, it is wisest to take them all with a grain of salt and to speak to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
The following are examples of the communication an insurance adjuster might have with you to try to falsely reassure you about your personal injury claim:
1. “We always make a fair offer.”
An insurance adjuster might try to reassure you by getting to what feels like the heart of your problem. This may be your fear that you will not be treated fairly if you do not have a lawyer on your side. However, your concern is that any offer the insurance company makes should be fair to you.
An experienced attorney can review your policy and make sure that the offer reflects fairness on both sides, not just what the company believes is fair for its own interests. In addition, some companies permit adjusters to negotiate only up to a certain dollar limit, which may be much lower than the limits of the policy. If you restrict your options to only what the adjuster can offer, you may miss the opportunity to make your case for the higher amount you genuinely deserve.
2.“We can settle your claim more quickly if we don’t get lawyers involved.”
When you are facing medical bills, auto repair costs, and lost time from work, a fast settlement may sound very tempting. Unfortunately, a quick settlement is often an unfair one for the injured person. While settling quickly with the insurance company, you may fail to consider your long-term medical costs, any time you might need off work for follow-up care, or the full extent of your pain and suffering.
You will not know the full extent of the damages you may be eligible to recover unless you work with a trusted and knowledgeable attorney. Your attorney can make sure they negotiate for the full scope of compensation you may be owed.
3.“Your lawyer won’t understand your claim as well as we do.”
Be wary of any reassurances that seem to put you and the adjuster on the same side, especially if the adjuster claims that the two of you know your claim better than a lawyer would. Insurance adjusters handle dozens or even hundreds of claims per year. In any given week, an adjuster may spend only a few minutes with your file. In addition, insurance adjusters know insurance, but they do not have extensive knowledge of the law to help you with your claim in the way an attorney can.
Your personal injury lawyer will take the time required to interview you thoroughly, examine all your medical and other records related to the accident, and consult with the necessary experts to establish exactly what your rights are and what you deserve as compensation. With knowledge of the law and a commitment to representing your interests, your lawyer can represent your interests vigorously while you focus on healing.
Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP we understand that dealing with insurance adjusters can be overwhelming, especially when they appear friendly and helpful. However, it’s important to remember that their goal is to protect their company’s profits — not your well-being. With decades of experience handling personal injury claims, we know how to negotiate effectively on your behalf. Our legal team takes the time to investigate your case thoroughly, ensuring we pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Let us handle the complexities of dealing with insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery. Contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at (516) 358-6900 or fill out our contact form, and we may be able to help you achieve a fair settlement. Also, subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more information on accidents like yours.
