The question may enter your mind: Should I even hire a lawyer, as opposed to just dealing directly with the insurance company and its adjuster? You should know that although the insurance adjuster may seem friendly and cooperative, he or she works for the insurance company that will pay to settle your claim. If the insurance adjuster can persuade you to settle your claim for less than what it is worth, that is good for the insurance company but bad for you. Unlike a lawyer you hire, the insurance company has no legal duty or financial incentive to treat you fairly!

Case in point: A working-class mother had a serious accident with a commercial tractor-trailer rig. She was injured in the accident and her car was so badly damaged that it was useless, both of which posed challenges for this mother of three young children. The very next day, she was visited at home by a representative from the truck driver’s insurance company. The insurance adjuster was very skilled at creating a sense that he was there to help her deal with the problems the accident had caused. After learning that she had no medical insurance, he told her that he believed she would make a good recovery, based on his experience and the way she was able to get around in her home and carry one of her children. Based on this evaluation, he offered her cash to repair her damaged vehicle, and $1,000 to compensate her for the trouble and pain she may have experienced. All she needed to do was accept the cash that day and sign the release, barring her from making any further financial claim.

Although tempted, she called her husband at work. He told her not to accept or sign anything and to call a lawyer immediately. After contacting a lawyer, she eventually found that she had severe injuries to her shoulder and would need a period of treatment and testing to see if she could recover without surgery. Fortunately, she recovered without surgery after receiving the necessary treatment, and was fairly and fully compensated for her months of suffering and damages. Ultimately, she received nearly 25 times what the adjuster wanted her to accept. As you can imagine, this client and her family were immensely pleased with their decision to retain a lawyer rather than deal directly with the insurance company.