The adjuster’s job begins with submission of an accident report. One of the Company’s policyholders submits that report. The adjuster speaks with the policyholder and obtains a copy of the police report.

When and how does the investigation of a claim take place?

Adjusters do not investigate the details of a reported accident unless the other driver has submitted a 3rd party claim.

–The claimant gets a letter from the adjuster’s office; it contains details about the limits on the applicable policy (the one purchased by the policyholder that has reported the accident’s occurrence).
–At the same time the adjuster asks for relevant documents, and also studies the Company’s database. That study is meant to check for any mention of earlier claims from the same person/victim.

Requests that the claimant could receive

One request could focus on the claimant’s medical records. Smart claimants do not honor that request, unless their lawyer has encouraged them to do so. Some claimants are asked to provide the insurer with a recorded statement. As with the medial records, this request should be denied, unless the claimant’s attorney has indicated that such a statement should be provided.

Adjuster’s actions before start of negotiations

Studies the paperwork that has come from the claimant. Looks for any information that does not seem right. If the study causes any adjusters to question the veracity of the supplied information, the adjusters’ concerns cause a postponement of the negotiations. Sometimes, adjusters’ concerns result in an objection to some part of the submitted claim.

–One of the most frequent objections relates to the claimed severity of the claimant’s injury.
–Another frequent objection focuses on the name given for the at-fault party. The adjuster’s allegations might emerge from an opinion that the claimant is partly responsible for the accident, or for the resulting injuries.

Claimants’ rights include that of fighting any unfounded objection. Pursuit of such a fight usually entails hiring a lawyer and filing a lawsuit.

Words of warning

Even if an adjuster has agreed to move forward with the negotiations, he or she might question claims made during the negotiations. Adjusters know that introduction of such questions could pressure the claimant/victim to reduce the size of his or her demand.

Smart claimants prepare for that possibility by working closely with a Personal Injury Lawyer in St Thomas. Lawyers know how to help their clients to seize on an advantage. By the same token, an attorney’s experience might help a client to correct his or her strategy, before it is too late. If delays prevent the filing of a lawsuit before the deadline, there is no case. Lawyers can keep that from happening.