By Attorney Christopher Brainard – California Personal Injury Lawyer
After a car crash or serious injury, one of the first phone calls you’ll get is from an insurance adjuster. They may sound polite and helpful, but make no mistake—their job is not to protect you. Their job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
Understanding how insurance adjusters operate—and how to protect yourself—is crucial if you’ve been injured in California. Here’s the truth about dealing with insurance adjusters and what you should know before saying a single word.
1. Insurance Adjusters Are Not on Your Side
Despite their friendly tone and “just gathering information” approach, adjusters work for a for-profit company. Their goal is to:
-
Limit payouts
-
Find reasons to deny or minimize claims
-
Get you to settle quickly—and cheaply
They are trained negotiators with one mission: save the company money.
2. They May Pressure You to Give a Recorded Statement
This is one of the most common traps.
Why it's risky:
Recorded statements can be twisted or taken out of context. You may unintentionally:
-
Downplay your injuries (“I’m feeling okay today.”)
-
Accept fault (“I didn’t see the other car.”)
-
Provide inconsistent details
What to do instead:
Politely decline and say you need to speak to an attorney first. In California, you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company.
3. They May Offer You a Fast Settlement—Before You Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries
It might feel like a relief when the adjuster says, “Let’s get this wrapped up quickly with a check.”
But here’s the catch:
Once you sign a release of liability, your claim is closed—forever.
If your injury worsens or requires future treatment, you’ll be left paying the bills.
Pro tip: Never accept a settlement without first understanding:
-
The full extent of your medical needs
-
The total cost of treatment and recovery
-
The long-term effects of your injury
4. They Often Use Delay Tactics
Insurance adjusters may drag their feet hoping you:
-
Get desperate and settle for less
-
Miss a legal deadline (statute of limitations)
-
Give up on your claim entirely
By delaying, they increase the pressure on you and reduce their exposure.
Solution: Hiring an attorney shows them you’re serious—and puts pressure back on them.
5. They May Try to Blame You—Even If You Did Nothing Wrong
Even in clear-cut cases, adjusters often try to shift blame. In California’s comparative fault system, if they can assign partial fault to you, your compensation is reduced by that percentage.
📌 Example:
If your damages are $100,000 but they convince you (or a jury) that you were 30% at fault, you only receive $70,000.
6. They Don’t Want You to Hire a Lawyer
They may say:
-
“You don’t need an attorney for this.”
-
“This is a standard claim.”
-
“We’re offering you the maximum.”
Why? Because insurance companies pay more when lawyers are involved. Studies have shown that injury victims represented by counsel recover significantly more than those who go it alone.
7. You Can Level the Playing Field with the Right Attorney
At LawBrainard, I deal with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to. I handle the paperwork, protect your rights, and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
From car accidents and dog bites to catastrophic injuries, I make sure my clients are treated with respect—not manipulated into settling for less.
Talk to a California Injury Attorney Before Talking to the Insurance Company
📞 Call (310) 266-4115
🌐 Visit: www.LawBrainard.com
🗓 Schedule a consultation to understand your rights and avoid costly mistakes.
Christopher Brainard is a California-licensed personal injury attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims. He provides strategic legal counsel and aggressive advocacy to help clients hold insurance companies accountable.
*This article/blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Christopher Brainard, Esq. An attorney-client relationship can only be formed through a written and signed agreement with Christopher Brainard. If you need legal advice about your specific situation contact us for a consultation. [Christopher Brainard, 651 N. Sepulveda Blvd., #2010, Bel Air, CA 90049].