Being injured by a defective product, in a traffic accident, or by a fall can be a traumatic experience. It can also be very frustrating when the accident was an avoidable incident had it not been for the negligence of another party. If your injury was caused by another driver, property owner, manufacturer, or another party, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. The first step is to file a claim with that party’s insurance company. The company should appoint an insurance adjuster to your claim to investigate and process the claim. But, what is an insurance adjuster?
What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do?
The insurance adjuster, also called a claims adjuster, independent adjuster, or claims agent, is the person who investigates the accident to determine the company’s liability. For the company to be liable, the insured must have been at fault for the accident that caused your injury, and the accident must have been a covered event under the insurance policy.
Steps the adjuster may take when investigating an injury claim include:
- Visiting the accident scene
- Evaluating the car, defective product, or other item involved in causing your injury
- Obtaining a copy of the police report
- Requesting and reviewing your medical records
- Interviewing you, the insured, and any eyewitnesses
- Consulting expert witnesses
After completing the investigation, if the adjuster determines the insured was at fault and the event is covered under the policy, they must then calculate the value of the claim. Many factors help determine the value of a claim, including the severity of your injury, your out-of-pocket costs, property damage, the length of your recovery, and whether you suffered any permanent impairments. The adjuster files a report with the insurance company detailing their determination of fault and their valuation of your claim.
If the insurance company agrees with the adjuster’s findings, they may make an offer of settlement. You are free to accept, reject, or counter the offer. However, you must remember one very important thing: once you accept an offer, the claim is complete. You are not permitted to go back to the insurance company to request additional compensation, even if you discover additional injuries or require additional medical treatments.
Therefore, our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers strongly urge you to consult with our office before you accept a settlement. In fact, we encourage you to consult one of our attorneys before you provide a statement to or sign a medical release for the adjuster. The insurance adjuster does not work for you and is primarily focused on protecting the insurance company’s interests.
Who Is an Insurance Adjuster Working for When Settling a Claim?
At all times, the insurance agent is working for the insurance company. They may tell you that they are here for you and will do everything they can to resolve your claim quickly for full value. However, the fact remains that an adjuster works for and has the best interest of the insurance company as their first priority.
Therefore, you need to take steps to protect your best interests by consulting with an experienced Massachusetts accident attorney. You need to put the weight of our experience and resources behind you when you are trying to negotiate a settlement for your injury claim. Our lawyers understand the tactics used by insurance companies and their claims agents. It is our goal to obtain full compensation for all of your damages from the insurance company.
Let Your Boston Accident Attorney Handle the Insurance Companies
The injury lawyers of Jim Glaser Law help individuals injured in an accident, that wasn’t their fault, navigate the claims process, and deal with insurance adjusters so that they can focus on their recovery. We protect you from aggressive adjusters who want to settle your claim too quickly and for much less than the claim is worth.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, suffered property damage, or experienced a slip and fall accident, it’s essential to have a dedicated attorney on your side. Our firm has experience in these types of lawsuits and is committed to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Additionally, we handle cases involving insurance denials, providing the support and insight needed to challenge these decisions effectively.
Contact Jim Glaser Law today by calling or filling out our online form to request a free case evaluation. Understanding what an insurance adjuster does is the first step in protecting your rights and securing the compensation you need.
