What Insurance Adjusters Actually Look For After Your Car Accident

After a car accident, it’s easy to assume the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim is on your side. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The vast majority of them are looking for ways to close out your claim for as little money as possible. They might seem friendly, but every interaction they have with you is built around that goal.

If you were recently in an accident, the last thing you want to do is put your claim in jeopardy. Understanding what an adjuster’s looking for can help you avoid giving them a reason to reduce your final payout.

What Do Insurance Companies Look At After An Accident?

Your Recorded Statement

Shortly after your accident, an adjuster typically asks for a recorded statement about the accident. This isn’t a formality. They’re trained to steer questions in a way that locks you into one version of events before speaking to a doctor.

Saying “I’m okay” or “it happened so fast” seems harmless in the moment, but adjusters can use these simple phrases to argue you weren’t seriously hurt. Remember, you’re not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Speak with an attorney and don’t say anything that could be used against you down the line.

Vehicle Damage  “Low-Impact” Argument

Adjusters often point to minor visible damage on your vehicle to argue the crash simply couldn’t have caused any major injuries. In reality, accidents under 15 mph cause 68% of soft-tissue injuries. An accident happening at lower speeds doesn’t make your injuries less severe. However, this argument is so effective because it sounds so logical to someone who never saw the crash in the first place.

Your Social Media and Public Activity

Adjusters can and will check social media. They look for anything that can be framed as inconsistent with your claimed injuries. This could be any random event. A check-in at the gym, a family photo, or a simple birthday Instagram post could be enough for an adjuster to use it against you.

Context rarely matters to an adjuster. Even a random photo taken on a good day is enough. So during this time, limit your social media presence and double-check before posting anything.

Gaps in Your Medical Treatment

From an adjuster’s point of view, applicants should be sticking with medical treatments consistently and never miss an appointment. Any missed days are something adjusters will flag immediately and lead to more scrutiny.

The thing is, a one-off absence can happen for any reason. Perhaps you were waiting for insurance approval or couldn’t get off work that day. Insurance companies rarely account for that and could use that absence to argue your claim is worth less than it should be.

Talk to a New York Attorney About Your Car Accident Claim

An insurance adjuster’s job depends on reducing your payment as much as they can. This is why you should always be careful when speaking with them or have a lawyer present if possible.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, our New York car accident attorneys understand the underhanded tactics insurance companies use. We can help you avoid these pitfalls and negotiate a fair payout that reflects what you’re actually owed. Contact us online or at (866) 574-0825 for a free case review today.