Personal injury cases can be complicated, time-consuming, and emotionally draining for the injured party. One crucial aspect of the process is the involvement of a claims adjuster.
A claims adjuster serves as a mediator between the insurance company and the individual who has suffered the injury. In this article, we’ll examine the role of a claims adjuster in a Maryland personal injury case.
Table of Contents
What is a Claims Adjuster?
A claims adjuster is an individual who works for the insurance company. They investigate claims made by policyholders to determine how much the insurance company should pay.
The role of the claims adjuster is to gather the details of the accident or incident, take photos, and gather witness statements. They may also review medical information, speak with doctors, and collect any other relevant evidence.
Communication and Negotiation
Once the claims adjuster has gathered all the relevant information, they will present an offer to the injured party. The offer will include the amount of compensation the injured party can expect to receive for the injuries sustained.
The claims adjuster will negotiate with the injured party to settle the case. In some cases, the process can be lengthy, with negotiations going back and forth between the adjuster and the injured party’s attorney.
Evaluating Damages
To calculate the amount of compensation the injured party could receive, the claims adjuster will typically evaluate the damages. The damages may include:
- Medical expenses related to the injury, including medication, hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing treatment.
- Loss of income due to missed work or reduced earning potential.
- Pain and suffering.
The claims adjuster will analyze all of these elements to determine a fair settlement amount.
Liability Assessments
A critical role played by a claims adjuster is assessing liability. Liability refers to who is at fault for the injury or accident.
The claims adjuster will look at all the evidence and speak with witnesses, police officers, and other experts to establish liability. In some cases, the adjuster may determine that the injured party is partly responsible for the accident, and that can affect the amount of compensation that is offered.
Advantages and Disadvantages
In most cases, the involvement of a claims adjuster can be beneficial to the injured party. A claims adjuster can help to speed up the process of settling a claim, ensuring that the injured party receives compensation quickly.
However, it’s important to remember that adjusters work for the insurance company, and their primary goal is to minimize the amount of money that the insurance company pays out in compensation.
Therefore, the compensation amount offered by a claims adjuster may not always be a fair reflection of the damages incurred by the injured party. In such cases, it may be necessary to seek legal representation to ensure that the injured party receives a fair settlement.
Final Thoughts
In a personal injury case, the claims adjuster plays a vital role in assessing liability and calculating compensation for the injured party. While adjusters work for the insurance company, they can help to speed up the process and ensure that the injured party receives compensation as quickly as possible.
However, it’s essential to be aware that the injury victim’s interests and the insurance company’s interests may not always align. Therefore, it’s advisable to seek legal counsel to ensure that the injured party receives a fair settlement that accurately reflects the damages they have suffered.