Don’t Fall for These Auto Insurance Tactics After an Accident

Were you in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? If so, the auto insurance company of the other driver is responsible for your losses. Whether it is the repair or replacement of your vehicle or the compensation for your lost wages and medical bills, the opposing auto insurance company will try to pay as little as possible. In doing so, there are some common tactics and tricks that tend to be used by car insurance companies. Not having a skilled personal injury lawyer by your side could leave you blindsided and taken advantage of in these unfortunate situations.

While the auto insurance company may reach out to you with a friendly voice, keep in mind that they are still representing a business that needs to make a yearly profit. They will work hard to save their bottom line, even when it is at your expense. Don’t be surprised or oblivious by the following tactics commonly used by car insurance companies against claimants like you:

Lowball Settlement Offers

This is perhaps the most popular tactic used, but one you should be keenly aware of nonetheless. Car insurance companies often offer a very low settlement at the beginning in hopes of catching claimants off guard. Don’t be anxious to accept the initial settlement. While it will typically seem like a large number, it is often much lower than what you should actually be owed. Once you accept, the settlement is non-reversible. Let a personal injury lawyer calculate your complete compensation first, you may be surprised at what you are entitled after an accident that is not your fault!

Requesting a Recorded Statement

Did the opposing auto insurance company tell you that they need a recorded statement about what happened? You don’t have to cooperate. Though they may make it sound like this verbal account is required, this can be turned against you. Car insurance companies are hoping to misconstrue your words into an admission of guilt to lower your settlement offer. To avoid this pitfall, tell them to speak with your attorney for all future communications.

Intentionally Delaying the Process

If it seems like the auto insurance is dragging their feet at every step of the claim process, they probably are – on purpose. This is often a tactic used to make you question the validity of your claim and settle on a lower offer. In some cases, they hope that the claimant will simply get tired of waiting and worn down enough to compromise on what they really deserve. A personal injury lawyer can not only monitor the claim process for you but pursue these delinquent auto insurance companies when deadlines are missed.

It may not seem like you need an attorney when the car accident was blatantly not your fault. However, most people are surprised by the money they should be owed after accidents like this. Don’t settle for anything less than you deserve after a car or truck accident. Call Darrell T. Farr as your personal injury attorney. We understand how to communicate and push back on auto insurance companies so that our clients get compensated for the losses they incurred in wages, vehicle damage, injuries, pain, suffering and more.