Insurance Company Tricks After A Car Accident
Insurance companies are in the business of making money. There is a reason these massive companies continue to grow year after year. One of the easiest ways for insurers to improve profitability is to pay out less money on injury claims. Quite simply, their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible.
8 Tricks Insurance Companies Pull After An Accident
1. Acting like they’re your friend: This is the most important trick on this list, and the easiest one to fall for in most cases. Insurance adjusters may act like they are compassionate and caring after your serious car accident, but keep one thing in mind: they work for the insurer. Their goal is to settle your case for as little as possible and deny you money. While they may seem nice, it is usually only a tactic to get you to relax and take a lowball settlement.
2. Recording your statement right after the crash: You do not have to speak with an insurance adjuster right after the crash. It’s a good idea to hire an car accident lawyer first. If you don’t have representation, these recorded statements can be used against you down the line if you say something contradictory.
3. Getting you to admit some fault: Insurance adjusters are excellent at twisting a victim’s words. Even saying “sorry” can be construed as an admission of fault. Any slip up can cost you thousands in a personal injury case.
4. Convincing you to handle case yourself: People who hire an attorney after an accident receive on average three-and-a-half times more money in settlements than those without an attorney. Insurance companies know this, and try to talk victims into handling the case themselves. Don’t fall for this.
5. Offering you a quick, lowball settlement: It may seem tempting to sign a release and get money fast after a serious accident. Medical bills are piling up and you’ve already missed time from work. Beware – you could sign away your right to collect damages if you sign something.
6. Minimizing your injuries: Insurance companies will usually dispute your medical treatment. Remember, take advice on medical care from doctors, not the insurance company. The less treatment you receive, the better it is for insurance companies.
7. Spying on you: Insurance companies will hire investigators and track your social media channels to gather any damning evidence on you. If you’re caught doing something like playing golf while you should be recovering from back surgery, it’s a good bet the insurance company will find out.
8. Getting you to release your medical records: This may seem harmless, but if you give the insurance company access to your medical records, they will often find a way to deny – or at least minimize – your claim for damages.
