The Role of Insurance Adjusters in Personal Injury Claim

Tactics They Use to Minimize Payouts and How You Can Protect Yourself

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Las Vegas, one of the first steps you’ll likely take is filing a personal injury claim. When you do, you’ll encounter an insurance adjuster—someone whose role is to evaluate your claim and determine how much compensation you should receive. However, while insurance adjusters may seem helpful, their main goal is to save the insurance company money by minimizing your payout.

What Is the Role of an Insurance Adjuster?

Insurance adjusters, also known as claims adjusters, are employees of insurance companies who investigate claims made by policyholders or third parties. In personal injury cases, their primary duties include:

• Evaluating the accident: The adjuster will examine the details of the accident, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
• Assessing liability: They will determine who is at fault for the accident and to what extent.
• Calculating damages: The adjuster will review medical bills, property damage, and other costs associated with the injury to determine how much to offer in compensation.

However, it’s important to remember that insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their main goal is to protect the company’s bottom line, which often means reducing the amount of money they pay out on claims.

Common Tactics Insurance Adjusters Use to Minimize Payouts

Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators, and they often use several tactics to minimize the amount of compensation you receive. Here are some of the most common strategies they employ:

1. Delaying the Process
   Adjusters may drag out the claims process in hopes that you’ll become frustrated and accept a lower settlement offer just to resolve the case quickly. The longer they delay, the more financial pressure you might feel to settle for less than you deserve.
2. Offering a Quick, Low Settlement
   Shortly after your accident, an adjuster may offer you a quick settlement before you’ve had the chance to fully understand the extent of your injuries. These early offers are often far below what your claim is worth. They hope you’ll accept without consulting a lawyer.
3. Questioning the Severity of Your Injuries
   Adjusters might question your medical records or claim that your injuries aren’t as severe as you say. They may argue that certain treatments are unnecessary or try to claim your injuries were pre-existing. The goal is to reduce your medical damages and, by extension, your compensation.
4. Blaming You for the Accident
   In Nevada, if you are found to be partially at fault for your accident, your compensation may be reduced under the state’s comparative negligence rule. Adjusters may try to shift some or all the blame for the accident onto you to reduce the amount they owe.
5. Misinterpreting or Misapplying the Law
   Some adjusters may inaccurately represent Nevada personal injury laws or claim that certain damages, like pain and suffering, are not covered. They may use this misinformation to justify offering a lower settlement.

How to Protect Yourself Against Insurance Adjuster Tactics

While insurance adjusters may seem friendly and cooperative, it’s important to remember that their loyalty lies with the insurance company. Here’s how you can protect yourself and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve:

1. Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer: One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from insurance adjuster tactics is to consult with a personal injury attorney. At Miller Personal Injury Attorneys, we can handle communications with the insurance company, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure you aren’t pressured into accepting a low offer.
2. Be Cautious About What You Say: Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can be used against you to minimize your claim. Avoid making statements that admit fault, downplay your injuries, or speculate about what happened. It’s best to stick to the facts or let your attorney speak for you.
3. Keep Detailed Records: Maintain detailed records of all communications with the insurance adjuster, your medical treatments, and expenses related to your injuries. Documentation can help support your claim and counter any attempts by the adjuster to reduce your compensation.
4. Don’t Accept the First Offer: The first settlement offer is almost always lower than what your claim is worth. Be prepared to negotiate, and don’t feel pressured to accept a low offer just to speed up the process. Your attorney can help you determine a fair settlement amount based on your damages.
5. Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with Nevada’s personal injury laws, including how compensation is calculated and the time limits for filing a claim. Knowledge is power, and understanding your rights can help you stand up to an insurance adjuster’s tactics.

While insurance adjusters play a vital role in processing personal injury claims, their primary goal is to minimize the insurance company’s liability. By understanding the tactics adjusters use and how to protect yourself, you can avoid accepting a low settlement and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

How Miller Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Las Vegas and need help navigating the claims process, the experienced attorneys at Miller Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight to get you the compensation you’re entitled to.