The primary concern of most insurance companies is to minimize their financial liability as much as possible.
After all, the less the company pays out in claims, the more profitable they are.
They count on the average person to be unfamiliar with insurance policy details and the laws surrounding filing a claim. As a result, they may try any of a number of techniques to get you to take less than you deserve.
Common insurance industry tactics to minimize settlements include:
Quick Settlements
If an insurance company offers you a quick settlement, rest assured that it is in its best interest to do so. Company officials know that if you hire an attorney to pursue your claim aggressively, the insurance company is likely to ultimately pay a much higher amount.
If you accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer, you’re almost certainly being under-compensated. You can fight back by taking the time to consider the offer with the help of a skilled attorney.
Delayed Claims
Once you’ve hired an attorney, the insurance company’s tactic may change to delaying payment of the claim for as long as possible in an effort to increase your aggravation. Insurance executives know that the longer the claims process drags on, the more likely you are to accept a smaller settlement.
A fact you may not know is that insurance companies in Texas must settle a claim within 35 days after they receive it. You can scare them by showing that you know how Texas Insurance Code Title 5, Chapter 542 requires them to render a decision on your claim and provide a settlement offer.
Denying Liability
Another insurance company tactic is to deny their policyholder is at fault and, therefore, they are not liable for your injuries. They may issue this denial without even investigating the claim, or they may say you don’t have any evidence of fault. This is where having a powerful and experienced Houston car accident lawyer on your side can really help you succeed.
You and your attorney can present evidence such as photographs of your injuries, the accident scene, automobile damage, police reports, and other documentation. Using this material, you can clearly show who is to blame and how the insurer is liable for all your losses associated with the accident. Insurance companies hope you won’t hire a lawyer since this limits their ability to trick you.
Disputing Medical Documentation
Once you show evidence that the insurance company is liable, they may still push back by claiming your injuries aren’t that severe or that you don’t have enough proof. They do this as another way to minimize what they might have to pay. Hopefully, they can wear you down so you accept less, but with a tenacious car crash lawyer at your side, you can hold out for what you deserve.
The insurance company might question whether you actually need the treatments you’re claiming or say the price your doctor charges is too high. They may also insist your injuries are due to some other incident and not the car crash. In every instance, your attorney will work to show these claims are wrong and your injuries are valid.
“Just Sign Here.”
When an insurance company asks you to sign something, be suspicious. Insurance documents are often crafted to allow the company to obtain lots of information, which they can later use against you. For instance, the insurance company may ask you to sign a general medical authorization in hopes that they can blame your injury on a pre-existing condition.
Insurance companies aren’t allowed to violate your privacy unless you give them permission. You should avoid signing any insurance company authorizations until your attorney has an opportunity to review them. Again, using a skilled car accident attorney is something insurance adjusters fear.
You Can Fight Back Against Unfair Insurance Tactics
Instead of becoming a victim to unscrupulous insurance providers, show them you mean business and aren’t afraid. Begin collecting evidence at the crash scene, and let your personal injury lawyer continue building your case by gathering additional documentation. Follow these recommendations to scare insurance adjusters:
- Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible, either at the time of the accident or within 24-72 hours after with your personal physician.
- Take photos of the accident, your injuries, and the other driver’s license and insurance card. Back up these pictures to a hard drive with the date, time, and location, and share them with your attorney.
- Having your attorney help you properly value your losses, especially your non-economic damages, such as your pain and suffering.
- Include the costs of your future healthcare and other damages in your claim’s value demands.
- Let your lawyer handle all conversations with the insurance company to avoid making statements that could endanger your claim.
- Avoid posting on social media or discussing the case with anyone besides your attorney. Insurance providers will scour your posts and comments for anything that could damage your claim.
- Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all your medical appointments.
In some instances, insurance companies will even send private investigators to follow you and see if you’re violating your doctor’s orders. For example, if you are claiming back injuries but a PI observes you helping your spouse with minor yardwork, the insurance company may claim you aren’t really as injured as you say. Your personal injury attorney will fight back to show how your activities did not go against your doctor’s recommendations and that your injuries are as severe as you claim.
Staying calm will help you make better decisions and avoid saying anything the insurance provider could use against you. Take your time and allow your personal injury lawyer to advise you on how to proceed. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but with their experience and knowledge, you can make the right decisions for your situation.
Why Working With an Experienced Attorney Can Enhance the Success of Your Claim
After a car accident, you’ve got a mountain of medical bills landing on your doorstep, along with reduced income if you cannot work. This combination can have you questioning whether you really need to hire a car accident lawyer for your case. The good news is that top-notch personal injury law firms can offer help while only taking their fees when you win.
By beginning with a free consultation, you can ask your questions and get sound legal advice on the strength of your claim. If your attorney accepts the case, they will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they take a percentage of your settlement amount. By only accepting claims that have a strong chance of settling, both you and the law firm win.
You get the legal representation you need without paying additional costs before your claim is completed. Working with a tenacious and aggressive car accident lawyer means you get the benefit of these services:
- Training, knowledge, and experience handling insurance companies
- Understanding and skill in legal and insurance procedures
- Ability to accurately value your losses for maximum compensation
- Strong negotiation skills to secure a fair and appropriate settlement for you
- Access to evidence sources you may not have as an ordinary person
- Ability to prepare your case for court if negotiations aren’t satisfactory
- Background to recognize when an insurance company is operating in bad faith and skills to help you file a complaint
If the insurance company violates the law or appears to be using bad faith tactics, your lawyer can help you gather the materials you need to file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.
Don’t Go It Alone – Steve Lee Can Help You Scare Insurance Adjusters
You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. When you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident, you need an experienced attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To discuss your claim, contact the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., by using the form on this page.