In the context of personal injury law, an adjuster is an individual who works for an insurance company or a third-party administrator to investigate and evaluate claims made by individuals who have been injured in an accident. Their primary responsibility is to assess the value of the claim and determine the amount of compensation that the insurance company or at-fault party should pay to the injured party.
Adjusters play a critical role in the personal injury claims process, as they are typically the first point of contact for an injured party after an accident. Once a claim is filed, the adjuster will conduct an investigation to gather information about the accident, including interviewing witnesses, reviewing medical records, and inspecting property damage.
Based on this investigation, the adjuster will determine the validity of the claim and the amount of compensation to be paid. This may involve negotiating with the injured party and their legal representative to reach a settlement, or defending against the claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
There are two types of adjusters in personal injury law: company adjusters and independent adjusters. Company adjusters are employees of an insurance company and are responsible for evaluating claims made against policies that the company underwrites. Independent adjusters are not employees of the insurance company, but instead work on a contract basis to investigate and evaluate claims.
It is important to note that adjusters work for the insurance company or at-fault party, and their primary objective is to protect the interests of their employer. This can sometimes result in disputes over the value of a claim or the amount of compensation that should be paid. For this reason, it is highly recommended that injured parties seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney to help negotiate with adjusters and ensure that their rights are protected throughout the claims process.
In conclusion, adjusters are an important part of the personal injury claims process, responsible for investigating and evaluating claims made by injured parties. They work for insurance companies or third-party administrators and have the primary responsibility of assessing the value of a claim and determining the amount of compensation that should be paid. Injured parties should seek the advice of a qualified personal injury attorney to ensure that their rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve.
