In my 40 years of practice as a personal injury attorney in Houston, Texas, one of the biggest mistakes I see personal injury victims make is expecting the adjuster to be fair and reasonable in handling their injury claim. Many wonder, will the injury adjuster be fair?
The Insurance Companies’ Goal is to Pay as Little as Possible
Adverse insurance companies are not out to pay full and fair restitution for injuries sustained in an accident. Adverse insurance companies seek to pay as little money as possible to settle a claim for personal injury.
Adjusters go to classes to learn how to dispute claims and are taught negotiation tactics as part of their job.
The “We Accept Responsibility Tactic”
The misconception generally occurs when the victim first contacts the insurance company and is told by an adjuster that the insured was responsible for the accident, or words to that effect. To the unsuspecting consumer, those words mean the insurance company will offer a reasonable, prompt settlement proposal.
Unfortunately, that could not be further from the reality. Often, the injury claim is hurt when the victim does not get the evidence needed to build a strong case
When the Adjuster Implies You Don’t Need an Attorney
In some cases, adjusters may discourage hiring an attorney, especially when the injuries are severe and a large liability policy is in place. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand why an adverse insurance company may not want a seriously injured person to hire an attorney.
Injury Claims Without an Attorney Have No Leverage
Any belief that the insurance company will treat an individual without a lawyer the same as one with a reputable attorney stands on shaky ground. Frequently, even with an attorney, the only time an insurance company gets serious about fair compensation is when a jury is in the box or a trial is imminent. In some cases, a judge or jury must make the determination.
When attempting to handle a claim on their own, it is usually only after the adjuster first makes an offer of settlement that a personal injury victim realizes that they really need an attorney to help them with the process. The real problem with this approach is that the insurance company has controlled the process with this person since day one and has probably done whatever is necessary to defend the case at the expense of the victim’s claim.
The More Serious the Injury, the More You Need Help
The more serious the injury, the more likely a personal injury victim will need the assistance of the best personal injury attorney they can find. It is usually advantageous to obtain an attorney in the location where the accident occurred, rather than one who lives out of state or far from the county where the accident occurred.
Contact Baumgartner Law Firm in Houston for a FREE Case Consultation
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident in Houston, Texas, call the injury lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm for a no obligation consultation regarding your rights and options (281) 587-1111.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, contact Baumgartner Law Firm for a FREE consultation to learn your rights, options, and next steps.
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069
(281) 587-1111
Related Resources:
How Insurance Adjusters Value Injury Claims in Texas
Things an Injury Adjuster Does Not Want You to Know
Dealing With an Insurance Adjuster on a Personal Injury Case
