If you were injured due to another party’s negligence, you may be contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the at-fault party. Adjusters are trained to gather information, assess liability, and evaluate the value of a claim on behalf of the insurance company.
Although the conversation may seem informal and friendly, statements you make can be documented and later used in the claims process. It is important to remember that their responsibility is to protect the insurer’s financial interests, not to provide legal guidance or advocate on your behalf.
At Ellis Law, we encourage caution before speaking with insurance adjusters. To help avoid statements that could unintentionally affect your claim, consult with one of our experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys before providing recorded or written statements.
Embarking on litigation can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re recovering from a serious injury. That’s why you hire the best lawyer in the business.
Insurance Adjusters Are Not on Your Side
Insurance adjusters are employed by the insurance company that issued a policy to the at-fault party. They are trained to investigate claims, assess liability, and determine potential payout amounts. Although they may appear sympathetic, their duty is to protect the insurer’s financial interests, not yours.
Statements made during these conversations can be documented and considered in the evaluation of your claim, which is why speaking to them can have adverse consequences.
Their Job Is to Limit What You’re Paid
Adjusters are also trained to investigate every angle of a claim, looking for ways to reduce the insurer’s financial exposure. If you are wondering if you should talk to the insurance company after an accident, keep in mind the tactics they may use while speaking with you.
They may attempt to:
- Downplay the seriousness of your injuries
- Press for small details or inconsistencies in your account
- Offer a quick settlement that’s far below what you need for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering
- Record conversations to use against your claim later
- Suggest you were partially at fault, even when the evidence says otherwise
This is why having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney review your case is crucial. They can handle communications with the insurance company and fight to secure the compensation you need, without giving the adjuster an advantage.
What You Say Can Be Used Against You
When an insurance adjuster calls you, it may be the first time you have ever talked to one. Rest assured, it is not the first call for them. They have likely spoken to hundreds of accident victims and honed their ability to get you to say things that hurt your own legal prospects.
Consider these seemingly harmless statements accident victims make:
- I feel better now: This may be used to suggest that your injuries were minor or temporary, even if symptoms later worsen or require ongoing treatment.
- I didn’t see the other vehicle. In a car accident, an adjuster may characterize this as an admission of inattention or fault, despite the actual cause of the collision.
- It all happened so fast: This can be portrayed as uncertainty about the events, allowing the insurer to question your version of what occurred.
- I’m not sure how badly I’m hurt yet: Insurers may later argue that your injuries were not serious if you did not immediately recognize their extent.
- I just want to get this over with: This may signal urgency and invite a quick settlement offer before the full value of your claim is properly evaluated.
What feels like a routine conversation can become part of the official claim record. Consulting an attorney early allows you to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
We Communicate with the Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
At Ellis Law, we deal with insurance companies almost every day. We are familiar with the tactics they use to limit personal injury claims, and know how to counter or rebut them for the benefit of our clients.
Our skill in dealing with insurance company tactics is one reason we have successfully represented injury victims in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California for more than 30 years, and established a record of success for our clients recovering over $750 million.
How We Fight Back Against Insurance Tactics
At Ellis Law, we know the insurance company’s playbook and work tirelessly to make sure our clients are treated fairly.
Here’s how we fight back:
- Thorough investigation: We gather detailed evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to build strong fact-based cases that get results. Thorough documentation helps prevent insurance companies from minimizing your claim.
- Medical expertise: Our team works with top medical experts to assess the full extent of injuries and determine both their short- and long-term effects. This helps ensure that insurance adjusters cannot dismiss or minimize the impact of your injuries.
- Aggressive negotiation: We handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf. Our experience allows us to counter lowball offers and push for fair compensation.
- Litigation when needed: If an insurance company refuses to act in good faith, we are fully prepared to take the case to court. When a lawsuit is filed, or even when the threat of a lawsuit is apparent, the pressure often motivates insurance companies to settle for a fair amount. They know that protracted litigation is costly and time-consuming.
- Constant advocacy: Throughout your claim, we provide guidance, updates on the progress of your case, making sure you remain informed and your rights are protected.
By combining decades of experience with a strategic, client-focused approach, Ellis Law ensures that insurance companies face skilled, prepared opposition.
What If You Already Talked to the Adjuster?
In most cases, a single conversation does not determine the outcome of your claim, particularly if steps are taken promptly to clarify or supplement the information you provided.
At Ellis Law, we can review what was discussed and assess whether any statements may require clarification. We assume responsibility for communicating with the insurance company to help ensure that your claim is presented accurately and thoroughly.
Even if you have already spoken with an adjuster, experienced legal representation can help guide the process moving forward and protect your ability to pursue compensation under the law.
Schedule a Free Consultation
With Ellis Law on your side, you won’t have to worry about the tactics of insurance adjusters, who work to limit or even deny your compensation. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are here to handle all insurance company communications on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
Contact us when you are ready to discuss your personal injury claim with a knowledgeable member of our Los Angeles legal team. No fee unless we win.
About the Author
Andrew Ellis Esq. is an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney with more than three decades of experience representing injured clients. A former U.S. Army serviceman, he brings discipline, knowledge, and confidence to every case. Since opening his practice in 1993, he has recovered over a quarter of a billion dollars on behalf of clients through settlements and verdicts in serious personal injury matters, including automobile accidents, premises liability, and product liability cases.
Ellis built his practice from the ground up and has earned a reputation for thorough preparation, strong courtroom advocacy, and professional integrity. He is known for treating clients with respect while holding insurance companies and corporate defendants accountable under the law. As Founder and Senior Partner of Ellis Law Corporation, he leads a team focused on helping injured individuals rebuild their lives and pursue the compensation available under California law.
