Do you know what an insurance adjuster is really after when they call you after a car accident? It’s not a fair resolution to your claim. It’s a cheap one. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the claims process alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you on the potential pitfalls of dealing with insurance adjusters in San Antonio.
How to Deal with Insurance Adjusters in San Antonio
Adjusters work for the insurance company, and their goal is to resolve your claim for as little money as possible. If an adjuster calls you with questions, remember that the safest answer you can give them is a short one. Better yet, let an attorney handle that conversation entirely. At The Patel Firm, we talk to insurance adjusters every day, and we know how to protect your claim from the moment they call.
Understanding the Adjuster’s True Objective
Insurance adjusters sound friendly, but their job is to investigate your claim and find reasons to deny it or reduce the compensation they owe you. That doesn’t make them dishonest, but it does mean their objective is at odds with yours. The sooner you understand that dynamic while dealing with insurance adjusters in Bexar County, the better prepared you’ll be.
Common Red Flags and Tactics to Watch For
Insurance claims adjusters may use aggressive or subtle tactics in an attempt to get you to settle for less. Watch out for these insurance settlement red flags:
- A quick and early settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Pressure to give a recorded statement right away
- Questions about your medical history or pre-existing conditions
- Requests to sign broad medical authorizations
- Downplaying the severity of the accident or your injuries
- Suggesting you don’t need a lawyer
- Delays in returning calls or processing your claim
Four Tips for Communicating with Insurance After an Accident
If you do talk to an insurance adjuster, how you handle that conversation can make or break your claim. Our lawyers suggest these tips to help you stay in control of the situation:
- Stick to the basic facts: Your name, the date, and where the accident happened. That’s all an adjuster needs from you. Other details can all be used to minimize your claim later, so leave any further communications for your attorney to handle.
- Never admit fault: Even a polite “I’m sorry” could be twisted into an admission of fault and used to reduce your payout.
- Never give recorded statements: A recorded statement can lock you into a version of events before you fully understand your injuries or your rights.
- Don’t agree to medical releases: An insurance adjuster who asks for broad access to your medical history will likely begin hunting for pre-existing conditions to blame for your injuries rather than the incident itself.
How a San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer Reduces Your Stress
A serious accident leaves you with enough to worry about. An experienced personal injury attorney can take the pressure off by:
- Handling all communication with the insurance company on your behalf
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating aggressively with adjusters to push back against lowball settlement offers
- Advising you before you sign anything, especially settlement agreements
- Taking your personal injury case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair payout
Contact The Patel Firm Before You Say Too Much
At The Patel Firm, we offer free consultations so you can get real answers before you say anything to the insurance company. If you’ve been injured in San Antonio, contact us anytime, 24/7, to get started. We represent clients throughout San Antonio, including Downtown San Antonio, Southtown, Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, the Medical Center District, Westover Hills, Schertz, and Universal City.
