Should You Talk To The Insurance Adjuster Without A Lawyer? The Truth Every Maryland Accident Victim Needs To Know

After a crash in Baltimore or anywhere in Maryland, your phone will probably ring within days—sometimes hours. The caller? The insurance company.
They’ll sound friendly. They’ll say things like:

“We just need your statement to get things started.”
“Don’t worry—this is routine.”
“We want to help you get your check quickly.”

But make no mistake: that call isn’t about helping you—it’s about helping them. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, and the easiest way to do that is by getting you to say something that weakens your case.

At The Law Office of Marc J. Atas & Associates, we’ve seen too many good people lose out on rightful compensation simply because they trusted the wrong person on the other end of the line.

Why Insurance Adjusters Call So Fast

There’s one simple reason insurance companies reach out so quickly: they know that time—and confusion—are on their side.

When you’re in pain, missing work, and trying to figure out transportation or medical bills, you’re vulnerable. Adjusters take advantage of that by trying to secure an early recorded statement before you speak with a lawyer.

Here’s what they’re really doing:

• Locking you in. They want you to commit to details that can later be twisted against you.

• Fishing for fault. They’ll ask subtle questions to get you to accept part of the blame.

• Setting up a cheap settlement. They may offer a small payment before you know the full extent of your injuries.

• Accessing your records. They’ll push you to sign broad releases giving them access to years of your medical history.

It’s all part of a strategy to pay less—and they’re very good at it.

The Maryland Twist: Contributory Negligence Makes Mistakes Costly

In most states, if you’re partly responsible for an accident, you can still recover partial compensation.
Not in Maryland.

Maryland follows contributory negligence, one of the toughest standards in the country.
If you’re found even 1 percent at fault, you can be barred from recovering anything.

That means one careless comment—one misunderstood answer—can destroy your case.

Example: You tell the adjuster, “I might have been going a little fast.” That single phrase could give them the argument they need to deny your claim entirely.

That’s why no Maryland accident victim should ever give a recorded statement without a lawyer present.

What Happens When You Talk to the Insurance Company Alone

1. They Record Every Word—Literally

Most calls are recorded. Even small talk can come back to haunt you later. Saying “I’m okay” while trying to sound polite may be used to claim you weren’t injured.

2. They Push You to Downplay Your Injuries

It’s common to hear, “You went home from the ER, right? So you must be fine.”
Adjusters use this to argue your pain or limitations aren’t serious—even when symptoms don’t appear until days later.

3. They Use Your Medical History Against You

By signing the wrong release, you could hand them your entire medical file. That gives them ammunition to argue that your back pain came from “a prior condition,” not the crash.

4. They Pressure You to Settle Quickly

You might be offered a check within a week. It sounds tempting—but once you accept, you can’t ask for more. And if your medical bills or lost wages rise later, you’ll be stuck paying out of pocket.

How a Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyer Levels the Playing Field

Insurance adjusters deal with thousands of claims every year. Their training manuals teach them negotiation tactics designed to minimize payouts.
Your attorney knows those tactics—and how to stop them.

Here’s what the team at Marc J. Atas & Associates does for our clients:

• Takes over all communications so you never have to speak to an adjuster.

• Launches a full investigation—collecting police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage.

• Documents your medical care to prove the full scope of your injuries.

• Calculates total damages, including future treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering.

• Negotiates aggressively for a fair settlement—or takes the case to court if necessary.

When insurance companies know you have a respected trial lawyer on your side, they handle your claim very differently.

How Adjusters Try to Manipulate You—and How Lawyers Stop Them

The Legal Clock: Maryland’s Three-Year Deadline

Maryland law (Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 5-101) gives you three years from the date of injury to file a personal-injury lawsuit.
That sounds like plenty of time—but the reality is, crucial evidence can disappear long before that.

• Surveillance footage is often deleted within weeks.

• Witnesses move or forget details.

• Vehicle data can be overwritten after repairs.

Calling a Baltimore accident lawyer immediately ensures your evidence is preserved and your rights are protected from day one.

What To Do Instead of Talking to the Insurance Adjuster

1. Get medical attention right away, even if symptoms are mild.

2. Report the crash to the police and get the case number.

3. Gather evidence: photos, license plates, contact info for witnesses.

4. Notify your own insurance, but keep details minimal.

5. Contact an experienced Maryland injury attorney before returning any calls from the at-fault insurer.

Your lawyer will take over communications, ensuring that nothing you say can be twisted or taken out of context.

Common Maryland Accidents That Trigger Adjuster Calls

• Rear-end collisions on I-83, I-695, or U.S. 40

• Pedestrian injuries in Baltimore City crosswalks

• Slip-and-fall accidents in stores, apartments, or restaurants

• Delivery-truck and rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft, Amazon)

• Construction-site and workplace injuries

• Dog-bite and premises-liability claims

If another party’s insurance company is calling you after any of these incidents, they are not doing it to help—they’re building their defense.

What an Injury Lawyer Looks at When Calculating Your Claim

A seasoned Maryland injury attorney doesn’t pull settlement numbers out of thin air. Each case is built around evidence and real-world costs:

Economic Damages

• Hospital and rehab bills

• Future medical care or surgery

• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity

• Vehicle repairs and property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional trauma and anxiety

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Scarring or permanent limitations

In Cases of Gross Negligence

Maryland courts may award punitive damages when a driver or company acts with reckless disregard—such as drunk driving or hit-and-run behavior.

A strong attorney ensures all categories of damages are included in negotiations.

Case Study: When One Phone Call Made the Difference

A Baltimore nurse was sideswiped on I-95 and called the at-fault driver’s insurer herself. The adjuster offered $5,000 to “wrap things up.”
Her neck pain worsened over the next month, leading to a herniated-disc diagnosis and $32,000 in medical bills.

After contacting Marc J. Atas & Associates, our team documented the medical impact, obtained the traffic-camera footage, and negotiated a $185,000 settlement—more than 30 times the initial offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a lawyer after a minor accident?

Even “minor” crashes can cause long-term injuries like whiplash or nerve damage. It costs nothing to speak with a lawyer—and could prevent you from losing thousands.

How much will a lawyer cost me?

Our firm works on a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect if we win compensation for you.

Can the insurance company contact me once I hire a lawyer?

No. Once we represent you, all communication must go through our office. That protection starts the moment you sign on.

How long does a Maryland injury case take?

It depends on your medical treatment and the insurer’s cooperation. Many cases settle within six to twelve months; more complex cases can take longer.

What if I already spoke to the adjuster?

Don’t panic. Stop all further communication and contact us immediately. We can still take control of your case and minimize any damage.

The Psychological Game: Why Adjusters Sound So Nice

Insurance adjusters aren’t just trained in claims—they’re trained in psychology. Their tone, pace, and wording are crafted to make you relax.
They might joke about traffic or empathize with your situation to build trust. Once you open up, they’ll subtly lead you toward statements that shift liability.

Having your Baltimore injury lawyer handle the call removes that manipulation entirely.

How Social Media Can Hurt You, Too

While adjusters are calling you, their colleagues are watching your online activity.
Posting photos, gym check-ins, or “feeling better” updates can all be used against you. Even privacy-locked posts can be subpoenaed.

Rule of thumb: until your case is resolved, post nothing about your health, your accident, or your recovery.

The Local Advantage: Why a Baltimore-Based Lawyer Matters

Insurance defense lawyers who work in Maryland know which local firms take cases to trial—and which ones settle cheap.
Our reputation as a litigation-ready law firm often pushes insurers to offer higher settlements sooner.

We regularly handle cases in:

• Baltimore City Circuit Court

• Baltimore County

• Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s Counties

• State and federal courts across Maryland

We know the judges, the mediators, and the insurers’ playbooks.

What to Expect When You Hire Marc J. Atas & Associates

1. Free consultation. We’ll review your case and answer every question.

2. Immediate protection. We notify all insurers that you’re represented—calls stop instantly.

3. Investigation. We gather police reports, 911 recordings, and expert analysis.

4. Medical coordination. We help ensure your treatment is properly documented.

5. Negotiation & litigation. We pursue maximum recovery—through settlement or trial.

For over 40 years, our firm has stood up to insurance companies that underestimate Maryland victims.

Why Waiting Too Long Can Cost You Everything

Every week you delay contacting a lawyer, you risk:

• Lost evidence and faded memories.

• Missed filing deadlines.

• Medical gaps the insurer will exploit.

The earlier you act, the stronger your claim—and the less control the insurer has.

Key Takeaways: Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late

• Never give a recorded statement without an attorney.

• Never sign a medical release the insurer provides.

• Never accept a check until your doctor confirms you’re fully healed.

• Always consult a Maryland injury lawyer first—it costs nothing to ask, but everything to assume.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let One Call Decide Your Future

Insurance companies may seem polite, but their mission is simple—save money, even if it means denying you justice.
One conversation can change the value of your claim forever.

Let The Law Office of Marc J. Atas & Associates handle the adjusters, the paperwork, and the pressure.
You focus on getting better—we’ll handle everything else.

Call (410) 752-4878 today for a free consultation.
No fees. No risk. Just results.