AUTO ACCIDENTS AND INSURANCE ADJUSTERS

If you have been involved in an accident, you probably have to deal with an auto insurance adjuster. Typically, you have to at least give a statement to your own insurance company after the accident, but you should never give a statement to the other party’s insurance adjuster.

THE LOYALTY OF THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER LIES WITH THE COMPANY, NOT WITH YOU.

At Volpe Law, we know how auto insurance adjusters are trained and how they operate. We have the negotiation skills to handle them. We know from experience when clients have tried to do so on their own, they are often intimidated or manipulated. Contact our office at 303-268-2867 to learn how we can help you if you have been involved in an accident in Colorado and must deal with an auto insurance adjuster.

UNDERSTANDING COLORADO AUTO ACCIDENT LIABILITY

The state of Colorado follows a traditional “fault-based” procedure for determining liability for injuries and physical losses following a car wreck. This means that the person who is at fault for the crash is also on the hook, financially, for injuries and vehicle damages arising out of the incident. For someone trying to recover from the at fault individual, this means getting paid out by the at fault individual’s insurance company from losses resulting from the accident, up to the driver’s liability coverage limits.

Further, Colorado follows a “modified comparative negligence” model for recovery from auto accidents in a court of law.[1] In other words, in a personal injury lawsuit arising from a car crash, you may recover against any party who was more at fault than you, but your damages will be reduced by a percentage that corresponds with your portion of liability.

However, before getting to court to litigate an auto accident, you will be in close contact with insurance adjusters.

UNDERSTANDING COLORADO AUTO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS

Auto insurance adjusters play an important role after a car accident, so you should know just who they are and how they operate. In short, adjusters are employees of insurance companies whose main job is to investigate accidents and determine what the liability of the insurance company is. The loyalty of the insurance adjuster lies with the company, not with you. One of the ways that insurance companies make money is by paying out as little as they are legally obligated to, and experienced auto insurance adjusters know how to do this.

TACTICS USED BY COLORADO AUTO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS

Becoming familiar with the tactics that auto insurance adjusters use while evaluating claims is the best way to avoid falling prey to them. While not an exhaustive list, a few of the more common tactics include the following:

LOOK FOR INCONSISTENCIES

An insurance adjuster could ask for a very thorough recorded statement from you, which they will then meticulously comb through, looking for any details that suggest an inconsistency in your story, which subsequently might represent an out for the insurance company. For example, you might tell an adjuster that you only injured your arm in a crash, but later you find out you also sustained a concussion. They may then turn around and use this information to suggest that a different event caused your injuries as opposed to the accident.

DELAY THE PROCESS OR AVOID CONTACT

Depending on the case, some adjusters might attempt to delay the case as long as they can, hoping that you will begin to feel the pressure of unpaid bills piling up. The thought is that if your bills start piling up, you’ll become desperate and willing to accept whatever offer they throw at you. In these instances, stand firm and continue to contact them, no matter how frustrating it becomes.

ENCOURAGE A RAPID SETTLEMENT

On the other hand, adjusters may try to pressure to settle quickly in certain cases. This strategy might be used if the adjuster feels that you don’t understand the full value of your claim, or that further investigation into it will uncover more damages that the insurance company could be liable for. Having the right attorney in your corner can ensure that you are taken care of in every situation.

HOW CAN A COLORADO PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER HELP?

For most accident victims, the world of personal injury law can be a new and scary place. Hiring the right attorney can help.

An experienced attorney from Volpe Law will be able to properly value your claim to ensure that you don’t accept a fast settlement offer and leave money on the table. We are familiar with the applicable laws in your case, which means that we can advise you on what insurance adjusters can and can’t do. Ultimately, we will work with you and your family to make sure that you get the best settlement offer possible while handling all of the difficult negotiations.

Personal injury lawyers can help in non-auto accident cases, too. Insurance adjusters are involved in all types of personal injury cases, like:

• Dog bites
• Slip and fall accidents
• Product liability
• Reputational harm

CONTACT A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN COLORADO TODAY

Auto insurance adjusters are trained well. They have their employer’s best interests as their priority, not your interests. Even if the auto insurance adjuster is representing your claim, they still want to minimize or avoid a settlement payout. This is particularly true when you file a first-party claim with your own insurer.

To make sure you get the compensation you deserve, you need to know how to handle auto insurance adjusters. At Volpe Law, our auto accident attorney has the experience and skill. Contact us today at 303-268-2867  or complete a contact form to request a Free 15 Minute Consultation.

[1] C.R.S. §13-21-111.

FEES

A $5,000 retainer is required for all pre-litigation dispute cases, while active litigation matters have a minimum retainer of $10,000. As of 1/1/2025, attorney rates vary between $275 – $400/hour. These hourly rates are paid by the retainer account. Fees and retainers for contract reviews and smaller projects vary, with some cases best suited for a 1-2 hour paid consultation at $350 per hour or $700 for two hours. All retainers are evergreen and refundable. Please call to inquire for further details.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be construed as providing legal advice on any subject matter. Laws frequently change and therefore this content is not necessarily up to date, nor comprehensive. Contact us or another attorney with any legal questions specific to your matter. You may request a consultation by completing our consultation request form.