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After a car accident, most people expect the insurance company to be fair and cooperative. The adjuster might sound sympathetic, ask about your injuries, and assure you that they’ll “take care of everything.” Unfortunately, what many drivers in Georgia don’t realize is that insurance companies are profit-driven businesses — and their goal is to pay out as little as possible.
To protect your rights and your financial recovery, it’s important to understand exactly how insurance companies evaluate claims — and how an experienced attorney like Kevin Patrick can help ensure you’re treated fairly.
An insurance adjuster’s job isn’t to maximize your payout — it’s to limit the company’s losses. Adjusters are trained to investigate claims and look for ways to reduce or deny them. They review:
Police and accident reports
Witness statements
Photographs and repair estimates
Medical records and treatment timelines
Even innocent comments like “I’m feeling better” can be used against you. That’s why it’s wise to let your attorney handle all communication with the insurer. At Kevin Patrick Law, we make sure every statement, record, and document strengthens your case — not theirs.
Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This means you can still recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you’re found 20% responsible for the crash and your damages total $100,000, you’ll only receive $80,000. Adjusters often try to inflate your share of the blame to reduce payout — so having strong evidence and skilled advocacy is critical.
Your medical treatment and records are the most important parts of your claim. Adjusters evaluate:
The type and duration of medical care (ER, physical therapy, specialist visits)
Consistency in treatment (missed appointments can hurt credibility)
Medical imaging and diagnosis reports
They use these records to determine whether your injuries are “legitimate” and whether your care was “reasonable and necessary.” At Kevin Patrick Law, we work closely with your healthcare providers to document every detail of your recovery.
If your injuries prevent you from working — even temporarily — you’re entitled to recover your lost wages. Adjusters verify employment, pay stubs, and employer statements, but they may undervalue future losses.
A seasoned attorney can calculate the full scope of your economic damages, including diminished earning capacity and long-term impairment.
Unlike medical bills, pain and suffering can’t be measured in dollars. Insurers often use formulas (like multiplying medical costs by a factor of 1.5–5) to estimate non-economic damages.
However, these formulas don’t reflect your unique story — the emotional toll, loss of enjoyment, or lasting trauma from your crash. That’s where a skilled trial lawyer like Kevin Patrick can make a difference: by humanizing your experience and showing the real impact of the injury to a jury, if necessary.
Many major insurance companies, including Allstate and GEICO, rely on software like Colossus to help determine claim value. These programs assign numeric values to injury types, treatment durations, and even the attorney representing the claimant.
For instance, an insurer might offer less money to an unrepresented claimant or one with inconsistent medical treatment. The system may not account for emotional distress, long-term rehabilitation, or the full impact of your injuries.
That’s why having an attorney who understands these algorithms — and how to counter their limitations with evidence and expert input — can dramatically change your settlement outcome.
Insurance companies don’t just rely on formulas — they also employ strategies designed to wear you down. Here are some of the most common:
Quick settlement offers: They’ll offer a small check early before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Delay tactics: Dragging out the process in hopes you’ll settle for less.
Surveillance and social media monitoring: Looking for photos or posts that contradict your injury claims.
Disputing medical necessity: Arguing that your treatment was excessive or unrelated to the crash.
Blaming pre-existing conditions: Claiming your pain stems from a prior injury, not the accident.
These tactics are frustrating — and unfair — but they can be neutralized with strong documentation and experienced legal advocacy.
At Kevin Patrick Law, we’ve seen every insurance company tactic in the book — and we know how to fight back. Our approach includes:
Comprehensive claim preparation: Gathering medical, economic, and vocational evidence.
Negotiation backed by litigation experience: Insurers take cases seriously when they know the lawyer is trial-ready.
Personalized attention: Every client gets hands-on guidance, not automated responses.
Proven results: Our firm has successfully represented Georgia accident victims in cases involving serious injuries and disputed liability.
By combining legal expertise, empathy, and meticulous preparation, we ensure our clients receive the full value of their claims — not just what the insurance company wants to pay.
Your car accident claim isn’t just a file number or an algorithm. It’s about your life, your health, and your future. While insurance companies use formulas and strategies to protect their profits, Kevin Patrick Law uses experience, strategy, and compassion to protect you.
If you’ve been injured in a Georgia car accident, don’t face the insurance company alone. Let Kevin Patrick Law evaluate your claim, handle the negotiations, and fight for the recovery you truly deserve.
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