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Knowing the tactics insurance adjusters try to use against you and how to sidestep these can safeguard your rights to recovery after an auto accident. That’s why we’re providing an insider’s view into the aftermath of a crash so you can follow protective steps after a car accident to avoid jeopardizing your claim.
Our team of South Carolina personal injury lawyers has seen how an insurance company’s tactics and practices can undermine individuals injured in an accident. We also understand how to combat these methods and we know when an injured party should escalate to filing a lawsuit.
Contact our car accident attorneys for help, but first, let’s dive into the methods an insurance adjuster may try in order to minimize your recovery.
Use Your Words Against You
Insurance adjusters may attempt to twist your words and take seemingly innocuous phrases as admissions of fault. It’s best not to say anything to an insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney, but if you do, avoid any apologetic phrases, as these may be considered acknowledgements of wrongdoing and particularly damaging to your claim. Saying, ‘I’m sorry’ or expressing remorse is a natural, knee-jerk reaction for many, and insurers know how to use these statements against you.
Request Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters often request recorded statements that may be used against you later. These might be presented as routine procedures rather than opportunities for the insurer to minimize your claim. Often, an insurance adjuster will request the recording while you’re still healing and may not be thinking clearly.
The recorded statement may be used later to:
- Identify minor discrepancies in your account and question your credibility
- Capture a lighthearted or flippant remark and use your demeanor against you later
- Phrase questions to elicit a misspoken or incorrect response
- Get any grounds to minimize or deny your claim on record
- Commit facts to the claim before the investigation is complete
Push for a Quick Recovery
Expediting the claims process is another tactic insurance adjusters use to advance your claim to a quick offer. Adjusters understand you may be under financial distress as you heal, using this circumstance to pressure you into accepting relief now that won’t adequately address long-term physical, financial, and emotional damages.
If you’re injured in an accident, seek guidance from a South Carolina personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your situation objectively and calculate an appropriate recovery. Insurers’ offers typically won’t cover all accident expenses, and intangible damages like pain and suffering may be ignored completely.
Delay Negotiations and Deny Responsibility
While many insurers operate in good faith to investigate and settle claims appropriately, this isn’t always true. Innocent delays, paperwork issues, or standard procedures are all potential tactics. Contact an attorney if you notice any of these unreasonable actions:
- Extreme delays – Refusing to recognize a claim or respond within a prudent amount of time
- Failure to investigate – Not attempting to investigate the accident, outcome, or injuries to assess damages
- Deceptive practices – Failing to provide claim forms or misrepresenting coverage
- Undervaluing the claim – Covering only a portion of the value of your medical bills or property loss
Downplay Your Injuries
Be prepared for an adjuster to try to minimize your claim by downplaying your injuries and losses. If an insurance provider uses tactics to try to convince you your injuries aren’t serious or that you contributed to the crash, contact a South Carolina personal injury lawyer right away. A legal advocate can take over communications with the insurance provider and provide evidence to substantiate your claim or escalate it to a lawsuit.
Request Medical Records
Insurance companies should never need your entire medical history to evaluate a current car accident claim. Requesting irrelevant medical records is a tactic insurance claim adjusters may use to complicate your case and dig for information to deny your injuries. Avoid this practice by consulting an attorney before releasing your medical records. This can prevent the insurer from using your records against you to:
- Introduce delays due to excessive fact-finding
- Attribute your current pain to past injuries and minimize the impact of the crash
- Deny your claim based on pre-existing conditions
- Identify treatments they deem unnecessary and will not cover
Build a Case Against You
Even when you aren’t at fault for an accident, the insurance company may try to build a case against you to devalue your claim and question your credibility. Some insurance companies may hire investigators to obtain information to refute your injuries or your version of events. They may analyze statements or photos you make public on your social media accounts, looking for chances to minimize your claim. They may surveil you to try to gather evidence to negate your injuries. If you think an insurance adjuster’s surveillance is questionable, contact an attorney who can help protect your rights to privacy and step in as necessary.
Take Advantage of Your Emotions
Feeling upset and frustrated by the claims process is natural, and insurance companies may try to play off your emotions to diminish your recovery. Lashing out at the adjuster or at anyone from the provider can be detrimental to your case if they label you as combative and refuse to work with you. Let our South Carolina personal injury attorneys help create a buffer between you and the insurance company, so you can avoid any confrontational situations.
Once you recognize an insurer’s methods for minimizing a claim, you can better protect yourself and your recovery. If you’re experiencing pushback, unfair denials, or feel an insurance company is taking advantage of you, tell us your story. Bell Legal Group will take swift action to secure your privacy, maintain your credibility, and pursue a lawsuit as necessary.