How a Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorney Handles Insurance Companies
By Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys
02/19/2026 Accidents can turn your life upside down in seconds. Medical bills start piling up, you may be unable to work, and insurance adjusters begin calling—often before you even understand the full extent of your injuries. Many accident victims assume insurance companies will treat them fairly, but the reality is that insurers are businesses focused on protecting their bottom line.
This is where a Scottsdale personal injury attorney becomes essential. An experienced attorney understands how insurance companies operate, how they evaluate claims, and how to protect your rights so you receive the compensation you deserve.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how a Scottsdale personal injury attorney handles insurance companies, the strategies used to maximize settlements, and what you can expect throughout the claims process.
Understanding the Role of Insurance Companies After an AccidentAfter any accident—whether a car crash, slip and fall, motorcycle accident, or workplace injury—the first organization you’ll typically deal with is an insurance company. While their representatives may seem friendly and helpful, their primary responsibility is to limit payouts.
Why Insurance Companies Try to Minimize ClaimsInsurance companies are profit-driven organizations. Every dollar they pay out in claims affects their bottom line. Because of this, they often:
- Offer quick but low settlements
- Dispute liability
- Question the severity of injuries
- Delay claims processing
- Request unnecessary documentation
- Use recorded statements against victims
Why You Should Not Handle Insurance Companies AloneMany injury victims believe they can negotiate directly with insurers. Unfortunately, this often leads to undervalued settlements.
The Risks of Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal HelpInsurance adjusters are trained negotiators. Without legal representation, you may:
- Accept a settlement far below your claim’s true value
- Say something that weakens your case
- Miss important deadlines
- Fail to document damages properly
- Lose leverage during negotiations
The First Step: Case Evaluation and Insurance ReviewWhen you hire a personal injury attorney in Scottsdale, one of the first steps is a detailed case evaluation.
What Attorneys Analyze During Initial ReviewYour attorney will examine:
- Police and accident reports
- Medical records and treatment plans
- Insurance policies (yours and the other party’s)
- Witness statements
- Photos or video evidence
- Employment and wage loss records
- The at-fault driver’s liability insurance
- Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
- Employer insurance (if an accident occurred during work)
- Property owner insurance in premises liability cases
How Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorneys Communicate With Insurance CompaniesOnce you hire an attorney, insurance companies are legally required to communicate through your lawyer instead of contacting you directly.
Why This Is ImportantThis protects you from:
- Pressure to accept quick settlements
- Tricky or misleading questions
- Requests for recorded statements
- Attempts to shift blame
Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your ClaimInsurance companies evaluate claims based on evidence. The stronger your documentation, the harder it becomes for insurers to deny or reduce your compensation.
Types of Evidence Attorneys CollectMedical Documentation
- Hospital records
- Doctor’s reports
- Treatment plans
- Prescription history
- Physical therapy notes
- Police reports
- Surveillance footage
- Traffic camera recordings
- Vehicle damage assessments
- Scene photographs
- Pay stubs
- Employer verification letters
- Tax returns
- Medical bills
- Future care estimates
Proving Liability to the Insurance CompanyInsurance companies often deny claims by arguing that their policyholder was not at fault.
How Attorneys Establish FaultYour attorney may:
- Interview witnesses
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Analyze traffic laws and local regulations
- Review medical timelines
- Examine property maintenance records
- Reduce or eliminate claims of shared fault
- Present clear evidence of negligence
- Protect your right to full compensation
Handling Recorded Statements and Insurance InterviewsOne of the most common tactics insurers use is requesting a recorded statement.
Why Recorded Statements Can Be DangerousInsurance adjusters may ask questions designed to:
- Get you to admit partial fault
- Downplay your injuries
- Create inconsistencies in your story
- Advise you not to provide a recorded statement
- Be present during any required communication
- Prepare you for questions
- Control what information is shared
Calculating the True Value of Your Injury ClaimInsurance companies often present low initial settlement offers. These offers rarely reflect the true value of your claim.
Damages a Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorney EvaluatesEconomic Damages
- Medical expenses
- Future treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
About This Author
Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys
Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys is a trusted personal injury law firm in Scottsdale, Arizona. The accident attorneys at Karns & Karns have experienced trial lawyers who have successfully represented the victims of car accidents, sexual abuse, workplace abuse, and commerc…