If you have been involved in an accident, you probably have to deal with an auto insurance adjuster. Typically, you have to at least give a statement to your own insurance company after the accident, but you should never give a statement to the other party's insurance adjuster. 

At Young Law Group, we know how auto insurance adjusters are trained and how they operate. Not only do we have the negotiation skills to handle them, but our attorneys have prior experience working on the defense side of personal injury cases. We know the most common "dirty tricks" auto insurance adjusters will use to de-value a claim. We know from experience when clients have tried to do so on their own, they are often intimidated or manipulated. Contact our office at (707) 343-0556 to learn how we can help you if you have been involved in an accident in California and must deal with an auto insurance adjuster.

Understanding How Auto Insurance Adjusters Think

Auto insurance adjusters play an important role after a car accident, so you should know just who they are and how they operate. In short, adjusters are employees of insurance companies whose main job is to investigate accidents and determine what the liability of the insurance company is. The loyalty of the insurance adjuster lies with the company, not with you. One of the ways that insurance companies make money is by paying out as little as they are legally obligated to, and experienced auto insurance adjusters know how to do this.

Tactics Used by Auto Insurance Adjusters

Becoming familiar with the tactics that auto insurance adjusters use while evaluating claims is the best way to avoid falling prey to them. While not an exhaustive list, a few of the more common tactics include the following:

They Look for Inconsistencies

An insurance adjuster could ask for a very thorough recorded statement from you, which they will then meticulously comb through, looking for any details that suggest an inconsistency in your story, which subsequently might represent an out for the insurance company. For example, you might tell an adjuster that you only injured your arm in a crash, but later you find out you also sustained a concussion. They may then turn around and use this information to suggest that a different event caused your injuries as opposed to the accident.

They May Delay the Process or Avoid Contact

Depending on the case, some adjusters might attempt to delay the case as long as they can, hoping that you will begin to feel the pressure of unpaid bills piling up. The thought is that if your bills start piling up, you'll become desperate and willing to accept whatever offer they throw at you. In these instances, stand firm and continue to contact them, no matter how frustrating it becomes. 

They May Pressure or Encourage a Rapid Settlement

On the other hand, adjusters may try to pressure to settle quickly in certain cases. This strategy might be used if the adjuster feels that you don't understand the full value of your claim, or that further investigation into it will uncover more damages that the insurance company could be liable for. Having the right attorney in your corner can ensure that you are taken care of in every situation.

How Can a California Personal Injury Lawyer Help?

For most accident victims, the world of personal injury law can be a new and scary place. Hiring the right attorney can help.

An experienced attorney from Young Law Group will be able to properly value your claim to ensure that you don't accept a fast settlement offer and leave money on the table. We are familiar with the applicable laws in your case, which means that we can advise you on what insurance adjusters can and can't do. Ultimately, we will work with you and your family to make sure that you get the best settlement offer possible while handling all of the difficult negotiations. 

Personal injury lawyers can help in non-auto accident cases, too. Insurance adjusters are involved in all types of personal injury cases, like:

• Dog bites
• Slip and fall accidents
• Product liability
• Reputational harm

What Can You Do Immediately to Help Your Case?

If you have been injured in an auto accident, the single most important thing you can do is get better. This means you should attend all your doctor's appointments, follow their recommendations, and complete any treat they prescribe. Insurance adjusters will also look for three things related to your medical care:

• Delays in seeking treatment after the accident
• Gaps in treatment once it has started
• Non-compliant patients

You want to avoid any of these three things. Making sure you obtain the care you need in a timely and consistent manner will not only be good for you, but it will also increase the value of your case.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Sonoma County Today

Auto insurance adjusters are trained well. They have their employer's best interests as their priority, not your interests. In some instances, auto insurance companies incentivize their adjusters to pay as little as possible on claims. Even if the auto insurance adjuster is representing your claim, they still want to minimize or avoid a settlement payout. This is particularly true when you file a first-party claim with your own insurer. 

To make sure you get the compensation you deserve, you need to know how to handle auto insurance adjusters. At Young Law Group, our auto accident attorneys have combined experience of more than 50 years representing victims of auto accident injuries.

Contact us today online or at (707) 343-0556 to schedule a free initial consultation.