Been in a car wreck and the insurance company has already called you?
Here’s something most people don’t realise…
That nice person on the phone isn’t your friend. Nope, not in the slightest. Millions of Americans suffer injuries each year as the result of a motor vehicle accident. To be precise, 2.44 million people were injured in traffic crashes during a recent year alone. And most of those people will eventually find themselves talking to an insurance adjuster.
The problem?
Many people don’t know who they really are dealing with. They think that an adjuster and a car accident injury lawyer want the same thing for you. They don’t. One represents an entity that wants to save it’s profits. The other represents you.
That’s why this is so important. If you’ve been injured and don’t know who to trust, meeting with a Dallas car accident lawyer at Freese & Goss early in the process can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim.
Let’s break the whole thing down…
What’s Inside This Guide:
- Two Jobs, Two Completely Different Goals
- What an Insurance Adjuster Actually Does
- What a Legal Advocate Does Differently
- Why the Numbers Favour Having an Advocate
- When It’s Time to Stop Talking to the Adjuster
Two Jobs, Two Completely Different Goals
Think of it like a tug of war.
You have an insurance adjuster on one end. You have your legal advocate on the other end. The both of them are pulling on the same rope (your settlement) in opposite directions.
The adjuster’s goal is to settle your claim for the lowest amount possible. The advocate’s goal is to get you the highest amount possible. Same case, different objectives.
Here’s why that matters:
If you know who is fighting for what, you stop giving away free ammo to the opposition. And a friendly adjuster loads up on ammo without you even knowing it.
What an Insurance Adjuster Actually Does
An insurance adjuster works for the insurance company. Full stop.
They work to research your claim, determine what they believe it’s worth, and resolve it as expediently as possible. What’s missing in that list? You.
Adjusters negotiate for a living. They process hundreds, if not thousands, of claims each year. You’re dealing with just one… and most likely your first ever. Add in injury and stress. Now that’s not fair competition.
Here’s how they typically operate:
- They call early, while you’re still rattled and unsure
- They sound warm, helpful and totally on your side
- They ask “harmless” little questions designed to lower your payout
- They low ball you before they know what your claim is worth
The one you need to watch out for at the end there. It’s easy to think that a quick cheque is debt relief because the bills are mounting up. However, that first figure is likely to be the lowest they believe you will accept.
Keep in mind though…insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible. They’re a business, after all. Every dollar they don’t pay you is one more dollar in their pockets.
What a Legal Advocate Does Differently
Now flip over to the other end of the rope.
Your lawyer – a legal advocate – works for you and you alone. Their job is to get you the best possible settlement. Since they do not get a paycheck from the insurance company, they have no interest in pressuring you into accepting a cheap deal.
Advocates offer you this and you can’t do it by yourself:
- True value: They understand the true value of your injuries, lost income and future care.
- Negotiation power: Insurers treat represented claims very differently than DIY ones.
- Hard evidence: They compile medical records, accident reports and expert testimonies on your behalf.
- Time: Let them do the paperwork and make phone calls while you recover.
And the best part?
Most car accident injury attorneys work on contingency. Basically that means there are no fees up front — they only get paid if you do. There’s very little risk in having one on your side from the start.
Why the Numbers Favour Having an Advocate
Don’t just take it on faith. The insurance industry’s own research proves the point.
The Insurance Research Council reports that accident victims who are represented by an attorney get settlements that are approximately 3.5 times higher than those who are unrepresented. Read that one again. 3.5 times higher.
Oh yeah… and get this — when you factor in attorney fees, even represented victims walk away with significantly more money in their pocket.
So why does this keep happening?
It’s easy. Adjusters understand the game changes when you hire an attorney. Once they know your claim has the potential to become a real lawsuit those nice little lowball offers will quickly start rising.
That’s what makes an attorney powerful. It’s not the courtroom. It’s the sway you will have the moment you have one.
When It’s Time to Stop Talking to the Adjuster
So when should you put down the phone and get some help?
Honestly? A lot sooner than you think.
You should hire a car accident injury lawyer if any of these situations describe you:
- You’ve suffered an injury that needed medical treatment
- The adjuster is pushing you to give a recorded statement
- You’ve been offered a quick settlement that feels rushed
- Fault is being disputed or pinned on you
- You’re missing work or facing ongoing care
The problem is… once you sign a settlement, it’s final. Over. You can’t go back months later when you receive a totally NEW medical bill and ask for more money to cover it. That’s why adjusters push so hard for a quick signature.
A lawyer takes the time to determine the full value of your claim so you don’t leave money — or your recovery — on the table.
The Bottom Line
Let’s bring it all together.
An insurance adjuster and a legal advocate serve two different masters. One protects the insurance company’s pocket. The other protects yours. They’re on opposite sides of the fence, and treating them like you’d sit anywhere else can cost you thousands.
So here’s a quick recap:
- The adjuster works for the insurer, never for you
- Their first offer is almost never their best one
- A legal advocate works only to maximise your result
- Represented victims win far bigger settlements on average
- The sooner you get advice, the stronger your claim becomes
Going through a crash is hard enough without battling an insurance company by yourself. Luckily you don’t have to. Understanding who is trying to close your file and who is fighting for you is the first step in getting what you are truly entitled to.
