If you have ever spoken to a personal injury lawyer regarding a car accident, you may have been told that “Insurance companies aim to pay you as little as possible.” If you have been injured and are dealing with insurance companies, such as after a car accident, you might assume that the parties reaching out to you are doing so to help. However, even your own insurance company may be attempting to find ways to reduce the amount of money they are required to payout to you. Knowing the tricks and schemes that insurance companies employ will allow you to get the just compensation you deserve and receive that compensation in a swift manner.
In the Aftermath – Dealing With Insurance Companies
Car accidents, unfortunately, are a common occurrence every day in the United States. In 2022, Florida is on pace to have over 3000 fatalities from auto accidents, with a total crash count of over three hundred thousand. The total amount of injuries is also likely to reach over two hundred thousand. Not all of these incidents will involve a personal injury case being brought, but having a lawyer to guide you through the process ensures that your insurance company is not taking advantage of you following your accident.
Insurance companies employ many tactics to reduce their payout, such as the following.
Offering An Immediate Settlement: Receiving an offer for an immediate settlement seems excellent. In fact, it might be very useful to deal with any medical bills or financial troubles stemming from the accident. However, the first initial offer from an insurance company, especially if on an accelerated timetable, is rarely fair. If an insurance company looks at your case and finds ways to poke holes in your story or place blame, they will take their time and jump through many hoops in order to lower their payout. Be suspicious of quick settlement offers; they often do not want you to receive advice and determine your claim’s worth.
Delaying The Process: At the other end of the spectrum, insurance companies might delay the process to an absurd degree. This tactic usually aims to wear down the claimant’s patience, forcing them to eventually accept a low settlement. If you have bills piling up, a substandard settlement offer is still better than nothing, and insurance companies rely on this fact to pay out less than what is deserved.
Feigning Friendliness: Despite being the company that will eventually give you your insurance settlement, the insurance company is not looking out for your best interests. In fact, they might be tricking you and trying to catch you out in a lie or misspoken statement to invalidate your claim. A friendly insurance agent might inquire about your recent health improvements and use your answers to contest your claims of medical complications in the future. Always remember that the information you provide to an insurance company will be used against you if possible. A simple statement such as “I am tired” might be construed to mean you are more at fault in the accident than previously let on.
Requesting Excessive Documentation: Certain documents are reasonable requests for an insurance company to make. However, some only aim to find new ways to reduce their financial obligation to you. Medical records can be used to argue preexisting conditions are leading to current medical issues. Only provide what is necessary to your insurance claim, and no more.
If you have just suffered injuries due to an auto accident, dealing with an insurance company and navigating their questions can be overwhelming. Here at Probinsky & Cole, our personal injury attorneys can guide you through the process – call today before you settle with your insurance company.
