Have you recently been in a car accident and now find yourself navigating the confusing world of insurance claims and legal jargon? It can be overwhelming to understand your rights, especially when faced with a potential conflict of interest between insurance adjusters and accident victims.
In this blog post, we will discuss the roles of a car accident lawyer and an insurance adjuster. It is our hope that this information can help you secure the compensation you deserve after a motor vehicle accident.
The Insurance Company Does Not Care About Your Interests
When it comes to car accidents, the potential conflict of interest between insurance adjusters and accident victims is a critical issue. While some insurance adjusters may seem helpful and sympathetic towards your situation, it’s essential to keep in mind that their main objective is minimizing payouts on behalf of their employer.
Victims often find themselves at a disadvantage when dealing with these professionals who are trained in negotiation tactics. Navigating this complex dynamic alone can be challenging. That is why having a car accident lawyer on your side can level the playing field and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Manipulate Victims
Insurers are known to use multiple tactics to manipulate injured victims into hurting their personal injury claims. Communicating with an insurance company after a personal injury can potentially hurt your claim for the following reasons.
Misinterpretations of recorded statements
After an accident, insurance adjusters frequently ask claimants to provide recorded statements about the incident and their injuries. They might present this request as a routine part of the claims process.
The issue with recorded statements is that anything you say can be taken out of context or misinterpreted. For example, if you say, “I’m feeling better,” it could be used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim, even if you meant you were feeling slightly better compared to immediately after the accident.
These statements can be used to challenge the extent of your injuries or the specifics of the accident. Adjusters might use your own words to minimize the compensation you receive or to argue that you are partly at fault.
Admissions of fault
An admission of fault occurs when you say something that implies you were responsible for the accident, even partially. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, it’s natural to feel confused, disoriented, anxious, or guilty. You may even display symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or other forms of mental distress.
When you are in the throes of such negative emotions, you might say things that can be misinterpreted as admissions of fault.
Admissions of fault include:
- Apologizing: Saying “I’m sorry” can be seen as acknowledging you were at fault, even if you were just expressing sympathy.
- Speculating: Making speculative statements like, “I didn’t see the car coming,” or “Maybe I was going too fast,” could be construed as admitting fault or negligence.
- Minimizing: Downplaying the incident by saying, “It’s not a big deal,” can be used to argue that the accident was not severe or that your injuries are not significant. Insurance adjusters may intentionally try to lead the conversation in a way that makes you downplay your injuries. They might casually ask how you are doing, prompting you to say, “I’m fine” or “I’m okay,” which can then be used to argue that your injuries are minor.
If you must speak to the insurance company, only provide factual information. Avoid speculating or expressing opinions about the accident. Do not apologize or make statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
Ideally, you should consult a personal injury attorney before making any statements to the insurance company. The lawyer can guide you on what to say and avoid.
Inconsistent statements and the minimization of injuries
If your statements to the insurance company are inconsistent with what you later tell your attorney or what you say in court, this can undermine your credibility.
If you say anything that suggests your injuries are not severe, the insurance company can use this against you to reduce the settlement amount. For example, if you mention being able to do certain activities, they might argue that your injuries are not as debilitating as you claim.
To avoid this, you should:
- Be cautious: Be very cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters. It’s often best to avoid giving a recorded statement until you have consulted an attorney.
- Seek legal representation: Consider having an attorney handle communications with the insurance company. An experienced personal injury lawyer can ensure that your statements are accurate and not taken out of context.
- Focus on medical care: Focus on getting the medical care you need and let the professionals document your injuries and their impact. Your medical records will provide a more accurate picture of your condition than any casual statement you might make.
Other tactics of adjusters include:
- Preying on your lack of legal knowledge: Insurance companies have experienced adjusters on hand who understand the intricacies of personal injury law. Most claimants do not have this knowledge and might unknowingly provide information that weakens their case.
- Pressuring you to comply: Insurance companies might use pressure tactics to get you to settle quickly and for less money than your claim is worth. They might suggest that you do not need an attorney or that hiring one will delay the process.
- Misrepresenting the facts: Adjusters might misrepresent the terms of the policy or the extent of coverage to persuade you to accept a lower settlement.
It’s often advisable to let a personal injury attorney handle communications with the insurance company to protect your interests. This can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
You Deserve Aggressive Legal Representation
You deserve aggressive legal representation when dealing with insurance companies after a car accident or truck accident. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s interests, which may not align with what you truly deserve.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help level the playing field by advocating for your rights and fighting for the compensation you are entitled to receive.
When fighting for your rights, your lawyer can:
- Manage all communications to avoid statements that could be used against you
- Gather comprehensive evidence to strengthen your case
- Ensure all damages are properly documented and valued, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Establish clear liability with evidence and expert testimony
- Appeal any denial or limitation of your claim
If necessary, your legal team may even represent your claim in court to ensure you receive full compensation for all losses. Yes, having aggressive legal representation on your side sends a clear message that you will not be taken advantage of.
We Are Not Afraid to Stand Up to the Insurance Companies
At Grover Law Firm, we understand how insurance companies attempt to minimize payouts, and we are not intimidated by their strategies. Insurers may try to undervalue your claim, but we have the experience and knowledge to challenge their tactics effectively.
Our commitment is unwavering. We hold negligent parties accountable for their actions and get insurance companies to pay fair amounts to our clients. That is why, when you hire us, you can be sure we will advocate fiercely on your behalf, standing up against any attempts to diminish your rightful compensation.
Don’t underestimate the importance of having a fierce advocate by your side during this challenging time. By choosing the aggressive legal representation available at Grover Law Firm, you are taking proactive steps toward securing the best possible outcome for your case. To schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers, call the number below or fill out our online form.