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At Irwin Law, we have represented injury victims throughout Minneapolis, MN, and one theme appears repeatedly: friendly-sounding advice from insurance adjusters that ultimately undercuts our clients’ claims. Adjusters are trained to sound helpful, supportive, and even empathetic, but make no mistake—their job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, you must be careful about how you interact with insurance adjusters. What seems like a small comment or an innocent agreement can have a lasting impact on your claim. Our injury lawyers in Minneapolis have heard it all.
Below are 10 commonly used phrases that sound reassuring, but can hurt your case.
Hearing this might give you a sense of relief, but do not let it lull you into letting your guard down. When adjusters say they “accept full responsibility,” they do not agree to pay what your case is worth. This phrase is often used to avoid deeper investigation, discourage you from hiring a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis, and get you to accept a fast, low settlement.
For example, if your injuries worsen over time and you have settled, you cannot reopen the claim. Under Minnesota law, once you sign a release, your right to pursue additional compensation is gone—even if your medical bills continue to rise. Always consult with a Minneapolis injury attorney before accepting an offer, even if they say they are “taking full responsibility.”
This is a red flag. Insurance adjusters know that people who hire lawyers receive higher settlements. A study from the Insurance Research Council found that people with legal representation receive, on average, 3.5 times more in settlements than those who go it alone.
The adjuster may say they want to avoid “legal complications” or that hiring a lawyer will slow things down. The truth is that having an experienced accident attorney in Minneapolis protects your rights and forces the insurer to treat your claim seriously. Without legal guidance, you risk overlooking essential damages like future treatment, lost earning capacity, or pain and suffering.
High-pressure tactics are common in the insurance world. When an adjuster says this is their “final offer,” they often hope to scare you into settling. The reality is that claims adjusters have the authority to negotiate, and their first offer is rarely their best.
Imagine you are recovering from a serious back injury that requires multiple rounds of physical therapy. The adjuster offers you $8,000 and insists that is all you can get. But what about lost income? Long-term limitations? Pain and mental distress? A Minneapolis, MN, accident lawyer will evaluate your claim’s actual value and push back against artificial limits.
This request may seem harmless, especially if you have nothing to hide. But recorded statements can be weaponized against you. Adjusters ask questions in a way that can lead you to downplay your symptoms or accept blame, even unintentionally.
For example, if you say “I am feeling okay” or “I think I saw the car coming,” those vague statements can later be interpreted as minimizing your injuries or admitting partial fault. Minnesota’s comparative fault rule (Minn. Stat. § 604.01) allows insurers to reduce your compensation if they can argue you were partially responsible. That is why we always recommend you consult a Minneapolis injury attorney before giving any recorded statements.
This statement can significantly reduce your compensation. In Minnesota, if you are found more than 50% at fault for an accident, you are barred from recovering damages. Your compensation is reduced proportionally if your fault is under that threshold. For instance, if you are found 30% at fault and awarded $100,000, you will only receive $70,000.
Adjusters often use this tactic to intimidate victims or reduce payout obligations. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis will carefully gather evidence—such as witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstructions—to defend your claim and challenge unfair fault assignments.
This is another dangerous assumption. Adjusters are not doctors; they have no business evaluating your medical needs. Saying you do not need more treatment can be their way of cutting off their obligation to pay further medical bills.
The danger here is twofold: first, you may follow their suggestion and stop treatment prematurely, which can hurt your recovery. Second, it creates a record that can be used to argue that your injuries were not serious. Always follow your doctor’s advice, not the adjuster’s, and continue treatment as long as your medical provider recommends.
Quick settlements usually benefit insurers, not victims. They allow the company to close the case before the full scope of your injuries or financial losses is known. In the days or weeks following an accident, you might not know whether you will need surgery, how long you will miss work, or whether you will face chronic pain.
Insurers count on your financial pressure and emotional distress. They hope you will accept fast cash instead of waiting for a proper evaluation. A Minneapolis injury attorney can help you take the time you need to understand your prognosis and calculate the full impact of your injury.
This phrase is misleading. Sometimes, it refers to internal claims authority limits—not the actual value of your damages or the at-fault driver’s policy limits. Insurers may say this to discourage further negotiation, but in many cases, they have more flexibility than they admit.
Additionally, multiple policies or additional sources of compensation (such as underinsured motorist coverage) could be available. An accident attorney in Minneapolis can examine all potential avenues and ensure you are not settling for less than you deserve.
In most personal injury cases, adjusters will ask you to sign a blanket medical authorization. This document gives them access to your entire medical history—not just the records of your current injury.
They may comb through years of medical files looking for anything to suggest your injuries are pre-existing. For example, if you hurt your knee in high school, they might use that old injury to challenge your current claim. We recommend allowing your attorney to provide only the relevant records, with proper redactions, to protect your rights and privacy.
This statement is often false or misleading. In Minnesota, most personal injury claims have a six-year statute of limitations (Minn. Stat. § 541.05). However, different cases—such as medical malpractice or claims against government entities—may have shorter time limits.
Insurance companies may try to tell you that your claim is invalid when in fact you still have time to file. Even if you are unsure about deadlines, contact a Minneapolis, MN, accident lawyer who can evaluate your case and preserve your rights before time runs out.
Minnesota law supports the rights of injury victims—but only if those victims are aware of the rules and take action to protect themselves. For example, the comparative fault rule means even a minor misstatement can affect your compensation. The statute of limitations determines how long you have to file. And the evidence you present—medical records, photos, wage documentation—can make or break your claim.
At Irwin Law, we help clients avoid costly missteps and confidently navigate the legal landscape. Our goal is to negotiate with insurers and build strong cases that stand up in court if necessary.
We recently helped a Minneapolis client who was told she did not need a lawyer. She gave a recorded statement and accepted an early offer of $12,000. A month later, she learned she needed spinal surgery. Unfortunately, her signed release barred any further recovery. She came to us for help, but the legal options were minimal.
We urge anyone injured in an accident to speak with a qualified attorney before dealing with adjusters. Early decisions shape the entire trajectory of your case.
Politely decline to discuss details until you have spoken with an attorney. You are not required to give a statement immediately. Refer them to your Minneapolis injury attorney.
Insurance adjusters are held to ethical standards, but they may use misleading tactics. They can frame statements to favor the insurer’s position. That is why legal advice is critical.
Every case is different, but damages typically include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future care needs. We evaluate all elements before advising on settlement.
In most cases, no. Once you sign a release, you forfeit the right to further compensation—even if your injuries worsen. Never sign without legal review.
Generally, six years under Minn. Stat. § 541.05, but some claims have shorter timeframes. Talk to a Minneapolis, MN, accident lawyer to confirm your deadline.
Insurance adjusters are not your friends—and despite what they say, they are not neutral parties. Their job is to pay as little as possible, and they are trained to use psychological tactics that encourage fast, cheap settlements.
At Irwin Law, we take pride in helping Minneapolis accident victims stand up to the insurance industry. We bring experience, legal strategy, and personal support to every case. If you were injured and unsure what to say—or not say—contact us today. The call is free. The consultation is free. And the peace of mind is priceless.
Don't wait—call now to schedule your consultation and let Minnesota Attorney Dan Irwin fight for your rights!
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