Can You Trust an Insurance Adjuster After a Crash?

Houston is one of the most traffic-congested cities in the U.S., with thousands of accidents occurring every year. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were over 67,000 crashes in Houston in 2023, many of which led to severe injuries or fatalities.

In these situations, insurance adjusters are typically the first point of contact for those seeking compensation for their damages and injuries.

While insurance adjusters may seem helpful and professional, their ultimate goal is to minimize the amount their company pays in claims. This may lead to them using tactics to undermine your claim and reduce the settlement you receive.

Therefore, it is crucial to know how to navigate interactions with insurance adjusters after a crash and understand if you can trust them.

In this guide, we will discuss the role of insurance adjusters after a crash and provide tips on how to protect yourself and your rights when dealing with them. We will also touch upon the importance of seeking legal advice from a personal injury law firm in Houston to ensure fair compensation for your damages and injuries.

The Role of Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters are employees or representatives of an insurance company responsible for evaluating claims and determining compensation amounts. After a crash, they will investigate the accident, review evidence, and negotiate settlements with claimants. Their job is to ensure that the insurance company pays out as little as possible while still fulfilling its contractual obligations.

Adjusters gather information by reviewing police reports, speaking to witnesses, and analyzing medical records and repair estimates. They may also request recorded statements from accident victims, which could later be used to dispute claims. While their role may seem neutral, their primary duty is to protect the insurer’s financial interests, not yours.

Tactics Insurance Adjusters Use to Undermine Claims

Insurance adjusters use various strategies to minimize payouts. Some common tactics include:

1. Quick Settlement Offers

Insurance companies often present early settlement offers that seem appealing but are usually much lower than what victims are entitled to. Accepting an early offer without fully assessing medical and repair costs can leave victims with insufficient compensation.

2. Requesting a Recorded Statement

Adjusters may ask for a recorded statement under the pretense of clarifying facts. However, these statements can be used against victims later to dispute liability or downplay injuries. It’s advisable to consult with a legal professional before providing any recorded testimony.

3. Delaying the Claims Process

Some insurance companies intentionally delay processing claims, hoping victims will become frustrated and accept a lower settlement. The longer they drag out the case, the more financial pressure victims face, increasing the likelihood of an unfavorable resolution.

4. Disputing Medical Treatments

Even when medical records clearly indicate injuries, adjusters may question the necessity of certain treatments or claim that pre-existing conditions contributed to the injuries. This tactic aims to reduce medical expense payouts.

5. Shifting Blame

Adjusters may argue that the victim was partially or entirely responsible for the accident to reduce liability. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning a claimant’s compensation is reduced based on their percentage of fault. If found more than 50% responsible, they may be denied compensation altogether.

How to Protect Yourself When Dealing with an Insurance Adjuster

To safeguard your rights and maximize your claim, consider the following steps:

Limit Communication – Provide only basic facts about the accident. Avoid giving a recorded statement without legal guidance.
Document Everything – Keep copies of medical records, police reports, repair estimates, and any communication with the insurance company.
Do Not Accept the First Offer – Initial settlement offers are often lower than what victims are entitled to.
Consult a Lawyer – Legal professionals can assess the true value of your claim and handle negotiations to ensure fair compensation.