If you’ve ever been in a car accident and got injured, you know how difficult it can be. You have to deal with physical pain, psychological impacts, and financial burden. On top of that, you have the challenging task of dealing with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters aim to decrease payouts and protect their company’s bottom line, which frequently involves using strategies that can be negative to accident victims.
Understanding these strategies is critical for anyone seeking fair compensation following a car accident. A skilled car crash injury lawyer can help you identify and oppose the adjuster’s moves. Have you ever thought about how insurance adjusters may attempt to reduce the value of your claim? Here, you’ll learn about those clever tactics insurance companies use that you should be most aware of.
Downplaying
Downplaying the severity of your losses or injuries is a common tactic insurance companies use. Their main goal is to prove that your injuries are not severe enough to bring a claim. For example, they may say that your wounds are not obvious or that they healed quickly. Additionally, they rely on your statements regarding your emotional state. Even if you don’t experience pain, your losses could still be major. Always have a car injury attorney on your side to deal with these tactics.
Quick Settlement
Insurance companies often force you to accept a settlement offer in the days or weeks following the crash. They will sound attractive, and since you might have expenses to cover, you accept the offer. However, you should always keep in mind that this is also a strategy they use to lower the settlement amount.
At that point, you may not know how much your medical bills will be or if you will require long-term treatment. So, it is always best to have patience and get legal guidance to understand the potential outcomes of a claim to obtain the most money possible.
Shifting Blame
The insurance companies can try to place all or part of the blame for the accident on you. It frequently occurs when there are not enough witnesses or evidence to support them. They might accuse you of being distracted, driving too fast, or failing to wear a seat belt.
Delaying
Sometimes the adjuster intentionally delays the case in order to irritate you and get you to accept the low offer. They might request more documentation or evidence, or they might just say that they need more time to look into this issue. When you are under financial and emotional strain, these delays will be stressful.
Non-Monetary Solutions
A few insurance companies can be smart enough to give you non-monetary options, such as fixing your car or paying a one-time settlement for only the current medical bills without taking care of your long-term requirements. While these offers might sound tempting, they often don’t cover the full extent of your needs.
It is important to remember that a quick fix now can result in more serious issues later. You must take into account not only the short-term expenses but also the long-term effects of your injury, such as future medical bills, lost income, and any psychological or emotional trauma.
Conclusion
Dealing with insurance companies after a car crash isn’t straightforward — it’s often in their interest to look to deny claims. That is why you need to make sure your rights are protected, and you get the insurance amount that you’re due.