After an accident, dealing with insurance companies can feel overwhelming. While adjusters present themselves as friendly and helpful, their true objective is to minimize the payout on injury claims. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and adjusters are trained to protect those profits by limiting their financial liability even at the expense of valid claims.
Here are five common insurance adjusters tactics, and how legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney can help you fight back.
Offering Quick, Lowball Settlements
One of the most common tactics insurance adjusters use is offering a quick settlement shortly after the accident. The goal is to get the injured party to accept a low offer before the full extent of their injuries, medical costs, and other losses are known.
Injured individuals may be vulnerable in the aftermath of an accident, facing mounting medical bills and lost income. Adjusters take advantage of this pressure by offering fast cash settlements that seem appealing but are usually far below what the claim is worth.
How an Attorney Helps:
Protecting against insurance adjusters requires representation from a skilled personal injury attorney. They will review all offers and advise whether they are fair based on the true value of the case. Your attorney will account for all damages, including future costs and non-economic losses, ensuring no money is left on the table.
Delaying or Denying Valid Claims
Another tactic is intentionally delaying the claims process or outright denying valid claims. Adjusters may repeatedly request unnecessary documentation, postpone responses, or use vague reasons for claim denials. This is done to frustrate claimants and push them toward accepting a reduced settlement or abandoning the claim entirely.
Some adjusters may also use ambiguous policy language or assert that the claim isn’t covered under the policy terms.
How an Attorney Helps:
A personal injury attorney understands insurance laws and contract obligations. They can fight insurance companies on your behalf, enforce deadlines, demand responses, and file bad faith claims if the insurer fails to handle the case properly. Having an attorney signals that delays and wrongful denials won’t be tolerated.
Misrepresenting Policy Terms and Legal Rights
Insurance adjusters may misrepresent the terms of the policy or the rights of the injured party. They might falsely claim that certain damages are not covered, that legal representation isn’t necessary, or that the injured party is not entitled to specific benefits.
In some cases, adjusters may attempt to discourage injured parties from seeking legal help altogether, suggesting that an attorney will only complicate the process or delay the payout.
How an Attorney Helps:
Attorneys are well-versed in insurance contracts and personal injury law. They can review the full policy, clarify coverage, and ensure the claimant receives all entitled benefits. Attorneys can also handle communications with the insurer to prevent misleading tactics.
Shifting Blame or Minimizing Injuries
Insurance companies may attempt to shift blame to reduce or eliminate liability. Adjusters may argue that the injured party was partially or entirely at fault, even when evidence points to the other party’s negligence. They may also dispute the severity of injuries, alleging that the claimant is exaggerating symptoms or that the injuries stem from pre-existing conditions.
By diminishing fault or downplaying injuries, insurers aim to reduce the payout or avoid paying altogether.
How an Attorney Helps:
An experienced personal injury attorney gathers evidence, including medical records, accident reports, expert testimony, and witness statements, to establish liability and the full extent of injuries. They can also counter unfounded allegations of pre-existing conditions or a shared fault, ensuring that fault and damages are accurately assessed.
Recording Statements to Use Against Claimants
Insurance adjusters may request recorded statements soon after the accident, claiming it is a routine part of the investigation process. However, these statements are frequently used to gather information that can later be twisted or taken out of context to minimize or deny a claim.
Adjusters may ask leading or confusing questions to elicit responses that suggest the injured party is partially at fault or that their injuries are less serious than reported.
How an Attorney Helps:
A personal injury attorney can advise clients never to provide recorded statements to insurance companies without legal guidance. Attorneys can either handle these communications directly or prepare clients for any necessary discussions. This ensures that no inadvertent statements jeopardize the claim.
Why Early Legal Representation Matters
It is important to ask: how long does pre-litigation take and why do you need legal representation as soon as possible to protect against insurance adjuster tactics? Early legal intervention can:
- Prevent communication mistakes
- Preserve critical evidence
- Document injuries properly
- Avoid unnecessary delays
- Protect against lowball offers
- Maximize settlement value
Get Our Proven Personal Injury Attorneys on Your Side
At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to standing up to insurance companies and protecting the rights of injury victims. We know the tactics adjusters use, and we are ready to fight back on your behalf. Our team will manage every aspect of your case and negotiate aggressively to achieve a fair settlement while remaining prepared to go to trial, if needed. To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 1-844-DEMANDA or contact us online.
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