9 Things Insurance Adjusters Are Trained to Use Against You

At Bandas Law Firm, P.C., we’ve sat across the table from insurance adjusters more times than we can count. And we know something that most accident victims don’t know—adjusters are trained professionals whose job is not to help you but to save their company money.

After a car accident in Corpus Christi, you might feel overwhelmed, hurt, and unsure of what to do next. And that’s precisely the moment they’ll try to take advantage.

We want to pull back the curtain and show you exactly how insurance adjusters work. If you’ve been in a crash, don’t be fooled by friendly voices or helpful advice.

Here are nine ways insurance companies use your words, actions, and lack of legal knowledge against you—and how hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in Corpus Christi can make all the difference.

1. They Act Like They’re On Your Side

One of the first things an insurance adjuster will do is come across as friendly and supportive. They’ll tell you they just need to get some information, that they’re “trying to speed things up,” or that there’s “no need to hire an attorney.” Make no mistake: their job is to protect the company’s bottom line, not yours.

Texas operates under a modified comparative fault rule (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001). This means that if they can get you to accept even a tiny part of the blame, your compensation can be reduced—or eliminated—if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault.

2. They Push for a Quick Statement

After a crash, the insurance adjuster may call you within hours or days to “get your side of the story.” What they’re doing is looking for ways to catch you off guard. If you say you’re “fine” or don’t mention a specific injury, they’ll use that as proof you weren’t seriously hurt.

We always tell our clients: don’t give a recorded statement without legal representation. Even saying something as simple as “I didn’t see them coming” can be twisted into an admission of fault. Our Corpus Christi auto accident attorneys can step in immediately and handle all communications on your behalf.

3. They Use Delays to Wear You Down

Delaying tactics are familiar. Adjusters may take weeks to return your calls, request endless documentation, or say they’re still “reviewing” your file. This isn’t because they’re overwhelmed. It’s a strategy to frustrate you and make you desperate enough to accept a lowball settlement.

Meanwhile, your bills are piling up, you’re missing work, and your vehicle still isn’t fixed. Don’t let the pressure get to you. As a trusted car wreck law firm in Corpus Christi, TX, we know how to push back and keep your claim moving forward.

4. They Offer a Fast, Low Settlement

Some adjusters go the opposite direction and offer you a settlement almost immediately. They might say, “This is the best we can do,” or “You’ll get your money faster this way.” The truth? They’re hoping you’ll accept before you know the full extent of your injuries.

A spinal cord injury, for example, can cost an average of $1.1 million in the first year alone for a 25-year-old victim, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. If you accept a fast settlement and discover later that you need surgery or long-term care, you can’t go back and ask for more.

5. They Downplay Your Injuries

If you didn’t go to the emergency room immediately or skipped a few doctor appointments, the insurance company will claim you weren’t seriously hurt. This is one of their favorite tricks, and they’ll use it to argue that your pain must not be as bad as you say.

But we know from experience that not all injuries show up right away. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries can take days or weeks to develop fully. That’s why it’s so important to document your treatment and follow your doctor’s advice. We help our clients build strong medical evidence to prove the real impact of their injuries.

6. They Troll Your Social Media

Yes, they do check your Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. If you post a picture smiling at a birthday party or mention feeling “okay,” they’ll use it against you. Even if your injuries are legitimate, anything contradicting your claim can be spun into doubt.

We advise all our clients to lock down their social media accounts after an accident—or better yet, take a break from posting entirely. Insurance companies will take any excuse to pay you less; even innocent photos can be misinterpreted.

7. They Blame Pre-Existing Conditions

If you have any prior injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions, expect the insurance company to bring them up. They’ll argue that your current pain isn’t from the accident at all—it’s just your old problems flaring up.

Under Texas law, the “eggshell skull” doctrine requires that defendants take the victims as they are. That means you’re still entitled to full compensation even if you were more vulnerable to injury. But proving this takes skilled legal advocacy. We work with medical experts to draw a clear line between the accident and your current symptoms.

8. They Misrepresent the Policy Coverage

Adjusters might tell you there’s “not enough insurance” to cover your damages or that certain benefits don’t apply in your case. Often, they’re counting on you not knowing what the policy includes.

In Texas, the minimum auto liability coverage required is $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. But many drivers carry more—and your policy may include underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, or MedPay. We investigate all possible avenues to ensure you don’t leave money on the table.

9. They Hope You Don’t Get Legal Help

This might be the biggest weapon insurance companies have. They know that claimants who hire a lawyer recover more on average—up to 3.5 times more, according to the Insurance Research Council. So they’ll do whatever they can to keep you from getting help, from telling you it’s unnecessary to implying that a lawyer will just “take all your money.”

At Bandas Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t get paid unless we win your case. And our job is to fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to—not what the insurance company says you deserve.

Why Working With a Corpus Christi Auto Accident Attorney Levels the Playing Field

Insurance companies are billion-dollar businesses with teams of adjusters and lawyers working to protect them. It’s not a fair fight when you go up against them alone. As an experienced accident lawyer in Corpus Christi, we know every tactic they use—and how to counter them.

From collecting medical records and accident reports to negotiating with adjusters and preparing for trial, we handle every step of your case. You deserve to focus on healing. We’ll take care of the rest.

When Should You Call a Car Wreck Law Firm in Corpus Christi, TX?

Ideally, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident—especially if there are injuries, significant damage, or any question of fault. Texas gives injured parties two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003), but waiting can hurt your chances of success.

The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can gather critical evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and black box data from the vehicles involved. These details often disappear with time.

Let Us Protect You from Insurance Tricks

At Bandas Law Firm, P.C., we’ve helped countless clients in Corpus Christi and across South Texas stand up to insurance companies and recover the compensation they deserve. We don’t let adjusters play games with your future.

If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t speak to the insurance company alone. Let us fight for you. Call our team today for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.