The Insurance Company's Lawyers Work for Them. Who Works for You?

Do insurance companies want you to get a lawyer? Not in the sense of asking you to hire one. They do work to settle claims on their own terms, and they often bring in their own lawyers when a claim is disputed. Those lawyers work for the insurer or the insured driver, not for you. That gap is why some injured people choose to get their own help.

Georgia recorded 1,403 motor-vehicle crash deaths in 2024, a rate of 12.5 per 100,000 people, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This guide explains how insurers handle injury claims, what to watch for, and when a lawyer may make sense. It is general information, and the facts of your crash will decide what applies.

Why would an insurance company bring in a lawyer?

An insurer brings in a lawyer when it disputes a claim and wants its position defended. Claims adjusters work for the insurance company. Their employer wants to resolve claims for as little as it reasonably can. That goal shapes how the insurer approaches your claim.

When a claim is disputed, the insurer may assign its own defense lawyer. That lawyer may represent the insurer, or the driver the insurer covers. In either case, the lawyer is not on your side. Your interests need someone to speak for them, whether that is you or a lawyer you choose.

Hiring counsel is a normal part of the process for insurers. Reviewing a claim closely is also a normal part of their job. The real question is whether your side of the story is heard clearly and completely.

What adjusters ask for early, and why it matters

Adjusters often ask for a recorded statement soon after a crash, sometimes before you know how badly you’re hurt. The statement becomes part of the claim file. The adjuster may later use your words to question who was at fault, how serious your injuries are, or when treatment began.

Adjusters also make other requests. You may see a request for medical authorizations, which let them pull your records. They may ask about prior claims or old injuries. They may look at your social media posts, including photos of you being active.

You do not have to answer every question on the adjuster’s schedule. You can say you need time to review the facts or your medical situation first. Before you talk again, write down what you remember about the crash, your pain, and your past health.

Why a first settlement offer may not reflect the full injury

A first offer often comes before your medical picture is complete. That means it may not cover the full cost of your injury. Whiplash, soft-tissue damage, and concussions can take weeks or months to be fully diagnosed. A quick offer made before treatment ends may not account for future care, missed work, or lasting symptoms.

General damages are those the law presumes to flow from an injury, and they can be recovered without proof of an amount. Special damages actually flow from the injury and must be proved. O.C.G.A. § 51-12-2 sets out that distinction.

Medical costs follow their own rules. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-1.1, medical expenses are limited to the reasonable value of medically necessary care. If you have any form of public or private health insurance, including benefits under a governmental workers’ compensation program, the evidence must include both the amounts charged for your medical and healthcare expenses and the amounts actually necessary to satisfy those charges under that policy or program, whether or not the insurance has been or will be used. If your care was billed under a letter of protection or any other arrangement by which a healthcare provider renders treatment in exchange for a promise of payment, the letter and itemized charges shall be relevant and discoverable under the same statute.

Signing a release usually closes the claim for good. Read any offer and any release carefully before you sign.

When fault is disputed or the injuries are serious

Disputed fault and serious injuries are two common reasons a claim slows down or gets contested. Each driver may blame the other.

Georgia uses a modified comparative fault rule. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, the judge reduces your damages in proportion to your percentage of fault. If you are 50 percent or more responsible, you cannot receive damages. When more than one person is at fault, each person’s share is their own liability and is not joint liability under the same statute.

Serious injuries, such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or fractures that need surgery, often mean larger claims and more detailed medical records. Coverage matters too. Which policies apply, and their limits, can shape how much money is available. Georgia auto policies must include uninsured motorist provisions under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11. These can matter when the at-fault driver has no insurance.

How these issues play out depends on the facts of each crash. No general article can tell you how your claim will end.

Can you dispute an insurance claim decision?

Yes, you can question a denial, a low valuation, or a claim that is moving too slowly. Start by asking the adjuster for a written explanation of the decision. Ask which facts and records they relied on.

Then send any missing medical records, bills, or witness information that supports your account. Ask for reconsideration in writing, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.

Some disputes are resolved through continued negotiation. Others need more formal steps. If an insurer will not negotiate fairly, formal legal action may become the next step, and that is where a lawyer’s role becomes central. For background on how auto liability coverage works in Georgia, the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance explains the basics.

Deadlines and what a lawyer can handle for you

Georgia generally requires a personal injury lawsuit to be filed within two years after the right of action accrues. That rule comes from O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. A deadline is not a reason to wait. Waiting can also make it harder to gather records and witness memories.

A lawyer can speak with the adjuster, collect records, and track deadlines. That lets you focus on your recovery. Not every claim needs that level of help. Some people handle smaller claims on their own. Others prefer representation from the start. The right choice depends on your injuries, the insurer’s position, and how much you can manage.

Talk with our team before you talk with the insurer again

If you’re dealing with pain, paperwork, and repeated calls from an adjuster, you don’t have to sort it out alone. You may be reading this for yourself, or for a parent, spouse, or friend who was hurt in a crash.

If an adjuster’s calls or a first offer have you unsure what to do next, our team can help you think it through. Our first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to continue. You can reach us through our contact page.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Responsible lawyer: Peter F. Jaraysi, Slam Dunk Attorney, Duluth, Georgia. Contact: slamdunkattorney.com/contact-us.