Were you or your loved one injured in an accident in Manteca? You are certainly not alone. Serious accidents happen—and they can put a lot of stress on the victim and their family. Through a personal injury claim, you have the right to seek compensation for the complete value of your damages, including non-economic losses.
Most personal injury cases in Manteca—from car crashes to slip and falls—are handled by insurance companies. Unfortunately, insurance providers can be incredibly challenging to work with. You need to be prepared. Here, our Manteca personal injury attorney highlights six critically important things you should know about dealing with insurance adjusters after an accident.
- Insurance Adjusters are Not On Your Side
First and foremost, it is crucial that you understand the role of the insurance adjuster in the personal injury claim process. Insurance adjusters are employed by insurance companies. They have a primary professional goal to protect the interests of their employer and, in most cases, that means working to minimize payouts whenever possible. While they may appear helpful and empathetic, their allegiance is to their employer, not to victims and families in Manteca. With this in mind, it is essential to approach interactions with adjusters with extreme caution. Remember, they are trained to protect the company’s interests. No matter how friendly and disarming they seem, an insurance adjuster is simply not on your side.
- You Should Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement
You are not required to give a recorded statement to an insurance company immediately after a bad accident in Manteca. In fact, providing a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster can be risky. These professionals often request recorded statements under the guise of procedural necessity. However, they do not have the power to make you give a statement at this point in the claims process. Further, anything that you say can be used to challenge your claim’s validity or reduce your settlement amount. Your words can easily get twisted or taken out of context by an insurance adjuster. The best strategy is to avoid providing a statement until you have a Manteca attorney.
- Insurance Adjuster “Fact-Finding” is Building a Defense
When insurance adjusters collect information about your case, it is often framed as standard “fact-finding,” but in reality, this process is aimed at building a defense against your claim. Adjusters scrutinize every detail to find inconsistencies or reasons to justify lower settlement offers. It is vital to remember that the insurance adjuster’s goal is to protect their employer’s financial interests, not to award you the full and fair financial compensation you rightfully deserve.
- Be Wary When Signing Documents (including a Release for Medical Records)
Following a serious accident in Manteca, an insurance adjuster might ask you to sign documents that they say are “needed” to process your personal injury claims. Be careful about what you sign. As a general rule, you should not sign any insurance paperwork until you have a full, comprehensive understanding of the implications. In many cases, you are going to be asked to sign a release for your medical records. While the insurance company generally has a right to access certain relevant medical information, they often make more comprehensive requests. In fact, they may present you with a document in an effort to get your entire medical history. Unfortunately, they may try to use that history against you to attribute your injuries to pre-existing conditions. Be wary of signing.
- Insurance Adjusters May Lead With a Quick (Low) Settlement Offer
After a serious accident in Manteca, it is normal to want to move forward with your life. Indeed, most people want to get past the insurance claims process as soon as possible. No victim wants to get bogged down in endless negotiations. Initially, insurance adjusters may present a quick settlement offer that is often much lower than what your claim is worth. This tactic preys on claimants’ immediate financial pressures following an incident. Accepting this offer can prevent you from claiming further compensation later. Before you agree to a settlement, be sure that you know the true value of your case. Do not let insurance companies get away with paying you less.
- The Best Approach is to Deal With Insurance Adjusters Through a Lawyer
Dealing with insurance adjusters after a bad accident in Manteca can be complex, overwhelming, challenging, and downright frustrating. You do not have to take them on alone. The most effective strategy to protect your interests is to handle communications through a lawyer. A top-rated Manteca, CA personal injury lawyer who is experienced in dealing with insurance claims can navigate the nuances of negotiation and ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way. Insurance adjusters are not on your side. You need an advocate you can rely on when it matters.
Why Trust Redkey Gordon for a Personal Injury Claim in Manteca, CA
Redkey Gordon Law Corp is a boutique personal injury law firm committed to fighting for the rights and interests of injured victims throughout the San Joaquin Valley, including those right here in Manteca. We have a proven record of successful case resultsand our law firm is always prepared to invest time, resources, and attention to the small details into every case that we take on. Do not go up against insurance adjusters alone. Schedule a free consultation with a top-tier Manteca attorney.
Contact Our Manteca, CA Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, our Manteca personal injury lawyers go above and beyond to protect the rights and interests of clients. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured victims and we are ready to get started on your case. Call us now or contact us directly online for a free initial case review. Our personal injury lawyers fight for the rights of injured victims in Manteca and throughout all of San Joaquin County.