Setareh Law
May 1, 2025
After an accident, navigating conversations with insurance adjusters can feel like walking through a minefield. These professionals are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, often at your expense. Many injury victims unknowingly damage their claims through simple mistakes during these interactions. Understanding how to communicate effectively with adjusters can make the difference between receiving fair compensation and settling for far less than you deserve.
At Setareh Law, we’ve represented countless clients who initially struggled with insurance adjusters before seeking our help. Our experienced attorneys have seen how certain missteps can significantly impact claim outcomes. We’re committed to helping injury victims throughout California understand their rights and avoid common pitfalls when dealing with insurance companies.
Mistake #1: Giving Recorded Statements Without Legal Representation
One of the first requests you’ll likely receive from an insurance adjuster is to provide a recorded statement about the accident. This seemingly innocent request can have serious consequences for your claim.
Why Adjusters Want Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters request recorded statements hoping you’ll:
- Make inconsistent statements they can use to question your credibility
- Accidentally admit partial fault for the accident
- Downplay your injuries or symptoms
- Provide details they can take out of context later
- Commit to a version of events before you have all the facts
These statements become permanent records that adjusters can scrutinize repeatedly, looking for any words they can use against you. Even innocent comments like “I’m feeling better” or “I didn’t see them until the last second” can significantly damage your claim.
Our attorneys recommend never providing recorded statements to insurance companies without legal representation. When you have proper counsel, we can prepare you for questioning, identify problematic questions, and ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.
Mistake #2: Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies almost always make low initial settlement offers, hoping you’ll accept less than your claim is worth. Many injured parties make the mistake of accepting these offers too quickly.
Why Early Offers Are Typically Insufficient
Early settlement offers are problematic because:
- They come before you know the full extent of your injuries
- They rarely account for long-term or future medical needs
- They typically exclude compensation for pain and suffering
- They’re designed to save the insurance company money
- They’re often presented when you’re financially vulnerable
Insurance adjusters know that medical bills and lost wages create financial pressure, making quick cash tempting even when it’s inadequate. They may present the offer as “the best they can do” or suggest your claim isn’t worth more, but these are negotiation tactics.
Our experience shows that initial offers are frequently 30-50% lower than what injured parties ultimately receive with proper representation. We help our clients understand the true value of their claims and negotiate effectively for fair compensation that covers all their damages.
Mistake #3: Sharing Too Much Information on Social Media
In today’s connected world, insurance adjusters routinely monitor claimants’ social media accounts for evidence they can use to dispute injuries or minimize compensation.
How Social Media Can Harm Your Claim
Even innocent posts can damage your case when:
- Photos show you engaging in physical activities while claiming injury
- Check-ins at locations contradict your reported limitations
- Comments about the accident conflict with official statements
- Posts suggest your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed
- Friends tag you in events or activities that could be misinterpreted
Many clients don’t realize that privacy settings offer limited protection—insurance companies may have ways to access your posts through mutual connections or legal means during discovery.
We advise clients to temporarily suspend social media use while their claim is pending or, at minimum, to avoid posting anything about the accident, their injuries, or activities that could be misinterpreted. Remember that even posts unrelated to your accident can be taken out of context to challenge your claim.
How an Attorney Helps Navigate Insurance Negotiations
Having legal representation levels the playing field when dealing with insurance adjusters. An experienced personal injury attorney serves multiple crucial roles in this process.
Professional Communication Management
Your attorney becomes the primary point of contact for insurance companies, which provides several advantages:
- Prevents adjusters from using tactics to get damaging statements from you
- Ensures all communication is properly documented
- Allows you to focus on your recovery instead of stressful negotiations
- Presents information in ways that strengthen rather than weaken your claim
- Responds appropriately to deadline pressures and demands
This professional buffer protects you from common manipulation tactics while ensuring your claim moves forward effectively.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in California, don’t face insurance adjusters alone. At Setareh Law, our multilingual team has recovered millions for injured clients with a 98% success rate because we understand how to effectively counter insurance company tactics designed to minimize your compensation.
Our experienced attorneys can help you avoid these common mistakes and many others that could jeopardize your claim. We handle all communication with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your recovery with confidence that your legal rights are protected. Contact us today at (310) 659-1826 or through our contact form for a free consultation about your case.
