By Seth Anderson on August 18, 2021
Some insurance companies send out independent adjusters to talk with commercial truck crash victims. These adjusters claim they are there to check on the victim and investigate the accident and will handle the situation in a way that is fair to the victim.
Even though these adjusters are independent, they are hired by the insurance company, which means they will be looking out for the insurance company’s interests and not your own. It is important to understand what their goals are so you will be prepared to deal with them if they try to contact you after a crash.
Our truck accident lawyers in Fort Worth are prepared to help you pursue maximum compensation after a commercial truck crash. We offer a free consultation and there is no obligation to take legal action.
An insurance adjuster is generally a person who works directly for the insurance company that may be liable for damages from an accident. If you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, that truck is likely to have commercial auto insurance. You can file a third-party claim against that insurance policy to attempt to recover damages, and an adjuster who works for that insurer will be assigned to your claim.
An independent adjuster still works for the insurance company, but he or she is likely working under contract and is not an employee of the insurance company.
Most independent adjusters are local and may come across as friendly, but it is important to keep in mind that they do not work for your interests, but rather the interests of the company that contracted them.
These adjusters claim to be independent, which may be true, as they do not work for the company on a full-time basis, but they are still being paid by an insurance company. Therefore, their focus is not on how you are recovering, but rather on protecting the interests of the company that you or your lawyer might file a lawsuit against.
When the independent adjuster calls you or shows up at your door, you should treat them as you would treat a regular adjuster. Be polite but be wary of what you say. Remember that they are looking for any reason to devalue or deny your truck accident claim.
That means you should not get into too many details about the accident or your injuries. It is usually best to refer this person to your attorney for answers to questions. The adjuster may tell you hiring a lawyer is a bad idea, but that is only because victims who hire lawyers often recover more compensation than those who do not. The insurance company would like nothing more than for you to try to manage the case on your own because they know the legal process can be overwhelming.
Generally, it would not be in your best interest to provide any kind of recorded or written statement to any adjuster who is looking to gather information about your accident or injuries until you have spoken to a licensed attorney.
However, it is OK if you have already spoken to the independent adjuster and have provided a statement. You should relay this information to your attorney so he or she will be prepared for it.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we are not paid unless you are. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today to discuss the facts of your claim learn how we may be able to help you through the legal process.
We have over 50 years of combined experience helping injury victims recover the compensation they need for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
Schedule your free and confidential consultation today: (817) 920-9000.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Seth Anderson, whose team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in helping victims of personal injury seek justice.
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