Why Insurance Companies Fight Harder When You Hire a Maryland Lawyer

Many injured people hesitate to hire a personal injury lawyer because they fear it will “make things worse.”

They think:

• “The insurance company will get mad.”

• “They’ll drag it out.”

• “It’ll turn into a fight.”

• “Maybe they’ll pay faster if I’m nice.”
  

Here’s the truth, especially in Maryland:

If the insurance company were going to pay you full value voluntarily, most people wouldn’t need lawyers.

Insurance companies fight when you hire a lawyer because the case becomes:

• More documented

• More organized

• More difficult to manipulate

• More expensive to defend

• More likely to become a lawsuit if they refuse to act reasonably
  

And that change, while frustrating, is often how injured people get treated fairly.

Important: This is general information, not legal advice.

What Changes the Moment You Hire a Lawyer

1) Your Words Stop Being Their Main Evidence Source

When you’re unrepresented, insurers try to build the file using:

• Your statements

• Your uncertainty

• Your offhand comments

• Your “I’m fine” moments
  

Once you have counsel, communication becomes more controlled and precise.

2) The Case Stops Being “Adjuster vs. You.”

A represented claim is evaluated differently because:

• Insurers expect a stronger demand package

• They anticipate litigation risk

• Defense counsel may become involved sooner

• Internal authority changes
  

3) Evidence Preservation Becomes a Real Threat

Insurers know that a lawyer may request:

• 911 audio

• Body-worn camera footage

• Surveillance videos

• Vehicle data

• Witness statements
  

A claim backed by evidence is more complex to deny, especially in Maryland, where they’re always searching for “1% fault.”

4) The “Lowball and Wait” Strategy Gets Harder

Unrepresented claimants are often given a lowball offer early in the process because the insurer assumes:

• You don’t know the case value

• You may not understand medical documentation

• You want fast money

• You won’t litigate
  

When you’re represented, the insurer assumes you might file suit if they stall.

Why Maryland Cases Require More Leverage Than You Think

Maryland’s contributory negligence rule makes liability battles more intense.

Insurers often look for statements like:

• “I didn’t see them.”

• “I could have broken sooner.”

• “I was in a hurry.”

• “Maybe I stopped too fast.”

  
  

With a lawyer involved, the file is built to eliminate those openings through:

• Evidence

• Consistent documentation

• Careful liability framing

 “Will Hiring a Lawyer Make My Case Take Longer?”

Sometimes yes.

But here’s the key question:

Would you rather settle faster or settle correctly?

Fast settlements can be dangerous because once you sign, the claim is typically over even if:

• Symptoms worsen

• You need injections

• An MRI reveals a disc injury

• You miss more work later
  

The goal is not “speed at all costs.”

The goal is fair compensation with protection for what you didn’t know yet.

How a Lawyer Can Increase Your Net Recovery (Not Just the Gross Number)

It’s not only about the top-line settlement.

A good injury firm also focuses on:

• Organizing medical records to support value

• Documenting wage loss correctly

• Reducing medical bills/lien balances where appropriate

• Avoiding statements that create “1% fault” disputes

• Escalating to litigation when it’s necessary to create leverage

Net recovery matters to clients, and strategy affects it.

When It’s Especially Important to Talk to a Lawyer Early

Consider early counsel if:

• Liability is disputed, or the story is changing

• You were hit in a rear-end, but the insurer is still “investigating.”

• You’re experiencing neck/back pain that may require imaging

• You’re missing work

• You’re being pressured to give a recorded statement

• The first offer is low

• A government vehicle/entity may be involved

• You suspect cameras exist and could be overwritten
  

Early action isn’t about being aggressive. It’s about being smart.

How Falodun Law Approaches Maryland Injury Claims

We prepare cases with one guiding principle:

Build it like it’s going to trial, even if it settles.

That means:

• Liability proof designed to defeat “1% fault” arguments

• Medical documentation that tells the whole story

• Early evidence preservation strategy

• Negotiation backed by readiness to litigate when needed
  

  
  

Serving Maryland & Washington, D.C.

• Baltimore City • Baltimore County

• Howard

• Montgomery

• Prince George’s County

• Anne Arundel

• Charles

• Washington, D.C.

Free Consultation: Get Advice Before You Give the Insurance Company a Head Start

If you’ve been injured, you only get one chance to build the claim correctly.

Call (301) 289-7737 or visit www.falodunlaw.com