I had an odd experience the other day and thought I would share it since there is a good lesson in it. A guy called me up and told me that he needed an attorney. He had an uninsured motorist claim because he was hit by someone who had no insurance. His insurance company was telling him that they could not settle his claim, that he would only get his medical bills, etc…. So, he wanted an attorney.
I gave him a consultation. We met and he reviewed my fee agreement. He signed it and hired me. I immediately called the adjuster and left her a message that I was representing him. I then sent her a letter confirming this. All of this is very standard.
He then called me two hours later. The adjuster received my message and called him up. She told him there was no need for him to hire an attorney and she would make sure that they settled the claim with him. She assured him that they would be fair to him. So, he decided to fire me.
Remember, the insurance company, whether it is yours or the other party’s, is not there to be fair to you. That is, technically, the job of an adjuster. To pay a fair amount to settle your claim. However, in reality, the adjuster wants to pay you as little as possible to save the insurance company as much as possible. It is just how it goes. So, even if an adjuster in a ptells you that he is going to be fair with you during a personal injury claim or auto accident, you should still talk to an attorney about your rights.