After a car crash in Los Angeles, we usually don’t talk to a judge first. We talk to an insurance company. And that first call can feel oddly casual, like the adjuster is checking in “to help.”
Here’s the hard truth: insurance companies exist to protect their money, not our recovery. Adjusters may sound friendly, but their job is to close claims for as little as possible. That can mean pushing for quick statements, hunting for reasons to blame us, or offering a fast check before we even know what our injuries will cost.
In this guide, we’ll break down what insurers do after an LA crash, the tactics that shrink settlements, what we should and shouldn’t say, and how a car accident lawyer helps protect the claim from day one. We’ll also cover practical steps we can take right now to keep the process from getting away from us.
What insurance companies do after a car accident in Los Angeles
Once the crash is reported, the insurance company starts building a file, and it’s not a file designed around our needs. It’s built to answer two questions: who’s at fault, and how little can they pay to make the claim go away?
Opening the claim and assigning an adjuster
The insurer opens a claim and assigns an adjuster (sometimes more than one). One person may handle property damage (car repairs and totals). Another may handle injuries. In bigger cases, a supervisor or “claims team” can step in.
The adjuster may call quickly, sometimes within a day. In LA, this happens a lot because busy streets and freeways can create high claim volume, and insurers want early control of the story.
If we’re unsure what to do in the first hours, we can follow this Los Angeles car accident response guide to protect both our health and our claim.
Investigating liability and damages
Next comes the investigation. Adjusters commonly review:
- Police reports and any citations
- Photos and video from the scene
- Vehicle damage and repair estimates
- Medical records and bills
- Witness contact info and statements
- Prior claim history (if they can access it)
- Anything they think suggests we were not badly hurt
In Los Angeles, this can get messy fast. Multi-car crashes on the 101, the 405, and the 10 can create finger-pointing. Intersections with heavy turning traffic, short yellows, and distracted drivers can lead to competing stories. Rideshare crashes add another layer because coverage can depend on the driver’s app status.
Most important, the adjuster works for the insurance company, not for us. Their performance is tied to controlling payouts.
How adjusters investigate and decide what your claim is worth
Adjusters compare what we say to what the documents say. If our timeline doesn’t match the crash report, or if our injuries sound worse than what’s in the early medical notes, they’ll use that gap to argue the case is “inflated.”
They also look for treatment issues that lower value, such as:
- Waiting days or weeks to get checked
- Skipping follow-ups
- Large gaps in physical therapy
- Not following doctor instructions
They may also send forms that sound routine but aren’t. A common example is a broad medical authorization that lets them dig through years of records. That can open the door to arguments about “pre-existing” problems, even when the crash made things worse. We should never sign anything we don’t understand, and we should slow down when an insurer says, “It’s standard.”
Why the first settlement offer is often low
Early offers often come with a subtle message: take this now, and the stress ends. That offer may cover an ER bill and a few days off work, but it often ignores the real cost of injuries that show up later, like concussion symptoms, back pain, or nerve issues.
It also tends to leave out:
- Future treatment and rehab
- Full wage loss and reduced work ability
- Pain and suffering (how the injury changed daily life)
Once we accept and sign a release, the claim is usually over for good. If we later learn we need injections, surgery, or long-term care, that’s often on us.
Common insurance tactics that can shrink your settlement
Insurance tactics are rarely loud. They’re usually quiet and “reasonable,” which is why they work.
Friendly calls that lead to damaging details
Adjusters may open with sympathy and small talk, then slide into questions that lock us into a story before we have full facts. They might ask, “You’re feeling better now, right?” or “So you didn’t see the other car?”
Even honest answers can be twisted. If we say, “I’m okay,” they may treat that like a medical opinion.
Recorded statements and selective questions
A recorded statement can become a highlight reel used to dispute injuries or shift blame. In LA crashes, where traffic is dense and events happen fast, it’s easy to miss details. Insurers know this. They ask questions that invite guessing about speed, distance, or who had time to stop.
Paperwork pressure and broad access to our records
Insurers often push for quick signatures: medical releases, settlement releases, or “proof of loss” forms that go beyond what’s needed. The risk is giving them extra angles to attack the claim.
Delay as a weapon
Sometimes they don’t deny the claim outright. They stall. Calls go unanswered. Requests “get lost.” Another adjuster gets assigned. The longer it drags, the more pressure we feel, especially if we can’t work.
Blaming us, especially in multi-car and rideshare claims
In Los Angeles, chain-reaction crashes are common, and fault arguments are too. Rideshare claims can add coverage disputes, and insurers may try to bounce responsibility between policies. If we were in an Uber or Lyft crash, this Los Angeles rideshare injury guide helps explain the extra steps and proof that matter.
Using social media and treatment gaps against us
A photo at a family event can be framed as “not injured.” A gap in care can be framed as “not serious.” This is why we tell clients to keep posts private and avoid sharing crash details online while the claim is open.
What to say (and not say) when an insurance adjuster calls
We can be polite without giving away the case. Here’s a simple script that works in most situations:
- “Hi, this is [name]. What’s your name, phone number, and claim number?”
- “I’m not ready to discuss the crash or my injuries yet.”
- “Please send any requests in writing.”
- “I’ll respond after I’ve gotten medical advice and legal guidance.”
What we should not do on that first call:
- Don’t guess about speed, distances, or who “should’ve” done what
- Don’t describe injuries in detail before doctors have answers
- Don’t accept blame, even casually (“I’m sorry, it was my fault”)
- Don’t agree to a recorded statement on the spot
Delays, denials, and shifting blame in California comparative fault cases
California uses comparative negligence. In plain terms, if they claim we were partly at fault, the payout can drop by that percentage. If they tag us with 20 percent fault, they try to pay 20 percent less.
Insurers use this rule to push settlements down. They may argue we were following too closely, changing lanes, “not paying attention,” or that our injuries came from something else. Strong documentation matters here, and so does staying quiet at the scene. Fault usually isn’t decided in one conversation.
If we want a clear explanation of how California handles liability, this Los Angeles crash liability guide breaks it down in everyday language.
Why we need a car accident lawyer to deal with insurance companies
A strong case doesn’t come from being angry at the insurer. It comes from building proof and keeping control of communication. That’s what a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer does for us.
We take over insurer communication, so we don’t get trapped
Once we hire a lawyer, insurance companies usually stop calling us directly. That matters because it keeps us from giving harmful statements when we’re stressed, medicated, or still figuring out what’s wrong medically.
We also keep conversations focused. Claims should be based on records and facts, not on how “confident” we sound on the phone.
We gather evidence before the story fades
Good cases are built early. We collect and organize:
- The police report and any updates
- Photos and video (including nearby business cameras when available)
- Witness statements before memories fade
- Medical records and billing from every provider
- Proof of lost income and missed work
- Repair estimates and property damage documentation
For readers who want to see what representation looks like in practice, our Encino car accident lawyer services page explains how we handle auto cases across Los Angeles.
We calculate full damages, not just today’s bills
Insurance companies love simple math: ER bill plus a few lost days equals a quick payout. Real life isn’t that clean.
We look at the full set of losses, such as:
- Medical care now and later (including rehab and specialist visits)
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Out-of-pocket costs (meds, rides, parking, medical devices)
- Pain and suffering (daily limits, sleep problems, anxiety, loss of normal life)
Online calculators tend to miss key parts of value because they can’t read our medical story, our job demands, or the strength of liability proof. This personal injury case worth guide for Los Angeles victims explains the real factors that move a settlement up or down.
We negotiate with a demand letter and a plan, not hope
Negotiation isn’t just “asking for more.” It’s presenting a demand package that ties injuries to proof, adds up all damages, and answers the insurer’s favorite defenses before they even raise them.
If the insurer still won’t be fair, we can prepare the case for the next steps, which may include mediation, arbitration, or trial. Many cases still settle, but the insurer takes the claim more seriously when it’s ready to be filed and proven in court.
Our concierge approach keeps clients informed and supported
When people are hurt, they don’t want a call center. They want answers.
In our practice, we focus on a concierge style of service: direct lawyer communication, frequent updates, and help dealing with the practical parts of a claim. In many cases, we can also advance case costs so the case can move forward while we pursue recovery (without making promises about outcomes).
Building the strongest evidence file before we negotiate
A strong case file usually has:
- Consistent medical care that matches symptoms
- Clear work proof (pay stubs, employer letter, time-off records)
- Organized bills, receipts, and mileage logs
- Photos of injuries and damage across time, not just day one
- A clean communication log (dates, names, what was said)
Modern cases can also include electronic proof when available, like vehicle event data, app logs in rideshare claims, or phone records if distraction is in play. We look for what fits the facts, then preserve it quickly.
Knowing when to settle and when to file a lawsuit
Settlement can be faster, and in the right case it can be smart. Lawsuits can take longer, but some cases need that pressure, especially when:
- Liability is disputed
- Insurance limits are low
- Injuries are serious or long-lasting
- The adjuster won’t account for future care
A simple timing view helps set expectations. Negotiation can take weeks to months. If a lawsuit is filed, it often takes longer because the court process adds steps like discovery, motions, and depositions.
Conclusion
Insurance companies play a big role after an LA car accident because they’re often the ones writing the checks. But they’re not on our side. Small mistakes, like a recorded statement or a rushed signature, can cost real money and real peace of mind.
Our best move is to focus on safety and medical care first, then document everything. Photos, witness info, and steady treatment all protect the claim. Before we give detailed statements or sign settlement papers, we should get legal advice.
If we want help right away, we can reach out to our Los Angeles team for a free consultation. We’ll deal with the insurance process while you focus on recovery.
FAQ: Insurance and car accident claims in Los Angeles
Should we call the police after a car accident in Los Angeles?
Yes when there are injuries, a hit-and-run, suspected DUI, or major damage. A report helps both liability and insurance.
Do we have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance?
No. We can decline and provide basic contact details. Recorded statements often create problems later.
When should we report the crash to our own insurance company?
As soon as you can. Many policies require prompt notice, even when the other driver caused the crash.
What damages can we claim in a California car accident case?
Medical bills, future care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, property damage, and pain and suffering when another party is at fault.
How long does a Los Angeles car accident case take?
Simple cases may settle in weeks or months. Disputed fault or major injuries can take longer, especially if a lawsuit is filed.
What if we were partly at fault for the crash?
We can still recover in California, but the payout may drop based on our share of fault. Strong evidence can reduce that share.