Reynolds, an associate with Miller, Rosnick, D'Amico, August & Butler in Bridgeport, faced a dilemma.

"The strategy was overcoming what the police officer said, and the minimizing of the injuries in his report," the attorney said.

Reynolds settled the litigation with insurance adjuster Christine Biel of Plymouth Rock Assurance. He said he wouldn't take less than the $100,000 policy limit of George Giraldo, the driver of the vehicle in which his client was a passenger.

Lucky for him, Biel was willing to work with him on the matter to avoid a lawsuit, Reynolds said.

"Christine Biel was a tough adjuster, and I said to her immediately that these injuries were more significant than was in the police report," said Reynolds, who achieved his goal, and settled the matter for the $100,000 policy limit. "From the very beginning, Christine wanted me to get the medical records and bills as soon as possible, so we'd be able to evaluate my client's injuries."

Reynolds said he did just that.

"I had an adjuster who was willing to work with me, which you don't always get," he said Tuesday. "The accident was pretty bad, and we had a strong case. I just had to gather all the records quickly. It required me to … travel to Stamford, where the accident was, to our offices in Bridgeport several times during the month."

Reynolds continued: "I got the medical records, talked to my client and we were able to change the narrative of what was in the police report pretty quickly."

Davis, 30, was a passenger in Giraldo's Honda Acura. They were leaving the funeral service of a friend who had died in October, when Giraldo struck a parked vehicle, according to Reynolds.

"Giraldo was traveling too fast," Reynolds said, "My client said he was traveling 40 to 50 miles per hour in a 30-miles-per-hour zone."

Giraldo was issued an infraction for traveling too fast, and the car was totaled,

Now, about nine months after the accident, Reynolds said his client, who was a construction worker, has permanent scarring on his forehead.

"Other than that, he has recovered from his injuries," Reynolds said.

Biel declined to comment for this report.

Reynolds said Davis incurred about $37,000 in medical bills.

Editors Note: Insurance companies should ensure that their adjusters do their due diligence, so insureds who are injured in situations like this receive everything it takes to return them to their previous situation. These steps can include tracking down and examining all necessary documentation, and talking to witnesses. Maintaining a good reputation is so important for an insurer. Firms with strong positive reputations are perceived as providing more value, which often allows them to charge a higher premium. Customers are more loyal, and more willing to buy a broader range of products and services.