Were you recently injured in a car accident? If so, you’re likely dealing with insurance companies whose primary goal is to make money for their investors, not pay you fairly for what you’ve suffered. Insurance companies have a lot of clever tactics to reach that goal. Fortunately, a little bit of preparation on your part can go a long way in protecting your rights and safeguarding your claim. With that in mind, here are some useful insurance company tips and tricks to be aware of.
Know the Role of Insurance Adjusters
When a driver causes a car accident, their auto insurer is obligated to pay for the damage they’ve done under the terms of the liability policy the company issued them. An insurance adjuster is an employee responsible for investigating insurance claims to decide if their employer’s policyholder is to blame and, if so, how much the insurer should pay anyone the policyholder has injured.
However, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. One of the adjuster’s primary goals is to protect those profits. They do this by finding ways to deny liability, downplay the severity of injuries and property damage, and shift blame onto victims. These are all common insurance company tactics, and they are completely legal.
Be Careful What You Say
Do not admit fault after a traffic accident. Even if you think you may be slightly at fault, it is best to avoid saying so. If you admit fault, the insurance company could claim you are responsible for your injuries, which means they should not have to pay.
Insurance adjusters often try to convince claimants they need a recorded statement to “process” or “expedite” their claim. However, these statements are almost always used against them. Even simply saying “I’m fine” can lead adjusters to argue that you were not injured and give them a reason to deny your claim. You are under no obligation to give someone else’s insurance company a recorded statement, so you can politely decline if asked.
While discussing the accident on social media platforms can be tempting, you should avoid doing so. Any information you post on social media can also be used against you in court by the insurance company. Do not post photos of you engaging in any strenuous activity, as this could be twisted by insurers to suggest you are not actually injured.
Instead of talking about the accident to insurers or on social media, discuss the details of your case with your personal injury lawyer. After you seek medical treatment following your accident, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced car accident lawyer. Due to attorney-client privilege, nothing you say to your lawyer can be used against you in court. An attorney can help you understand if you have a case and craft a strategy to help you pursue fair compensation from the insurance company.
Don’t Sign Anything
The insurance adjuster will likely attempt to get you to sign a medical release form in the aftermath of an accident. If you sign this form, the insurance company could gain access to your entire medical history. They could then use information about past injuries or conditions to suggest that those were at least partially to blame for your injuries rather than their policyholder’s actions.
The insurer may also attempt to get you to accept a settlement upfront before you have time to discuss it with an experienced personal injury attorney. If you accept, you may end up with much less money than you deserve or could have received if you were properly represented. Never settle with an insurance company without consulting your attorney first.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Have you been hurt in a car accident in Central Texas? Don’t try to handle the insurance companies yourself. Instead, turn to an experienced lawyer who can protect you from the tricks and tactics the adjuster might use to deny you fair compensation.
Troy Burch has practiced law in New Braunfels and the surrounding area since 1990. He’s learned firsthand how to beat insurance companies at their own game. Contact Burch Law Firm today for a free case evaluation and to find out what he can do for you.
