After a serious car accident, your phone often rings quickly. An insurance adjuster may sound friendly, concerned, and eager to “help you move forward.” While that call can feel reassuring during a stressful time, it’s important to understand one critical truth; insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you.
What they don’t tell you after a serious crash can cost you thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars. Before you accept a settlement, here’s what you need to know.
Early Settlement Offers Rarely Reflect the Full Value of Your Case
One of the most common tactics adjusters use is offering a settlement early; sometimes within days of the accident. What they won’t explain is that early offers are almost always calculated before the full extent of your injuries are known.
Many serious injuries, including concussions, spinal injuries, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries, worsen over time. Accepting a settlement too soon may leave you responsible for future medical bills, lost income, and long-term care costs that were never accounted for.
Once you accept and sign a release, you cannot go back and ask for more, even if your condition deteriorates.
Recorded Statements Can Be Used Against You
Adjusters often ask for a recorded statement under the guise of “getting your side of the story.” What they don’t tell you is that these statements are frequently used to minimize or deny claims later.
Innocent comments like “I’m feeling okay” or uncertainty about details of the crash can be twisted to suggest you weren’t seriously injured or were partially at fault. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without legal representation.
They Won’t Explain How Damages Are Calculated
Insurance companies don’t volunteer information about non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of normal life. These damages are often a significant part of a serious injury claim, especially in cases involving permanent injury or long recovery periods.
Without an experienced attorney, many accident victims don’t realize they are entitled to compensation beyond medical bills and car repairs.
They Don’t Tell You When Liability Is Disputed
Adjusters may avoid discussing whether fault is being questioned, even while quietly building a case to reduce or deny your claim. In Illinois, comparative fault rules can reduce your recovery if the insurer argues you were partially responsible.
Parente & Norem’s experienced attorneys can step in early to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and prevent unfair blame shifting.
The Clock Is Always Working Against You
Insurance companies benefit when claims drag on or when victims delay getting legal help. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and deadlines can be missed. Adjusters won’t warn you about statutes of limitations or how delays can weaken your claim, but Parente & Norem’s attorneys will.
Why Early Legal Contact Matters
At Parente & Norem, we’ve seen too many injured people come to us after accepting a settlement that didn’t come close to covering their long-term needs. Early legal involvement allows your attorney to:
- Accurately assess the true value of your case
- Handle all communication with insurers
- Protect you from unfair settlement tactics
- Ensure future medical costs are considered
Before You Accept a Settlement…
Before you sign anything or accept a check, speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. A short conversation at no cost to you could make a life changing difference in the compensation you receive.
Parente & Norem has spent decades protecting injured individuals throughout Illinois. We understand insurance company tactics, and we know how to fight back!
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a crash, contact Parente & Norem today at 312.641.5926 or fill out a contact form here on our website to protect your rights and your future.
