Posted in Accident Data,Personal Injury on March 7, 2026
Every insurance company in America — including your own — has one primary goal after an accident: pay out as little as possible. That’s not cynicism. That’s business. And if you don’t understand that going in, you’re already at a disadvantage.
We’ve spent decades in Montana courtrooms fighting insurance companies on behalf of injured Montanans. We’ve seen their playbook up close. Here’s what you need to know.
The Adjuster Works for the Insurer, Not for You
Within hours of a serious crash, an insurance adjuster may contact you. They’ll sound sympathetic. They’ll ask how you’re feeling. They’ll tell you they just need a recorded statement to “process your claim.” Don’t do it. That statement will be used against you. Period.
Adjusters are trained negotiators. They know you’re hurt, stressed, and scared. They know you have medical bills piling up. They’re counting on all of that to pressure you into accepting a lowball offer before you understand the full extent of your injuries or your legal rights.
The First Offer Is Almost Never the Right Offer
In our experience, initial settlement offers rarely reflect the true value of a serious injury claim. Insurance companies know that most people — especially those without legal representation — don’t know what their case is actually worth. They’re hoping you’ll take the money and go away.
That’s not how we operate. At Heenan & Cook, we have recovered over $250 million for Montana injury victims precisely because we don’t accept the first number an insurance company puts on a piece of paper. We go to trial when we have to — and insurance companies know it.