Car Accidents and Insurance Adjusters: 7 Tactics They Use To Minimize Payouts

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(Newswire.net — August 11, 2023) — Road safety is paramount. Unforeseen circumstances can arise at any moment. When faced with a potentially hazardous situation on the road, it is essential to respond promptly and responsibly. After a car accident, dealing with insurance adjusters is an inevitable part of the recovery process. 

After all, the insurance company’s primary goal is to minimize the payout for your claim. Recognizing their strategies can give you an advantage in securing the compensation you deserve. As a result, in this article, we’ll take a look at some of the tactics that insurance adjusters often use to minimize payouts:

  1. Delaying the Claims Process

One of the most common tactics insurance adjusters use is delaying the claiming process. By stalling the investigation or payment of your claim, they may hope you will grow tired of waiting and accept a lower settlement. Be patient and persistent! It’s why you must have a stern lawyer to hold you and guide you through.

  1. Disputing Medical Treatment

Insurance adjusters might dispute the necessity of your medical treatments to minimize the payout. They may argue that your treatment was too expensive, unnecessary, or unrelated to the accident. 

If you got in an accident in Hartford, for example, and as a result, you had both legs injured after your medical care, you’ll need to contact a Hartford car accident lawyer immediately! They’ll make sure that all your treatments are documented properly and can be justified by your medical provider.

  1. Misrepresenting Insurance Policy Coverage

Another common tactic is to misrepresent the coverage of the insurance policy. They may claim that certain damages are not covered under the policy, hoping you won’t verify their statements. Again, an experienced lawyer would be more than useful in this case. They would know how to sieve through the riff-raff. They’ll read the policy carefully and consult with other professionals to ensure your interests are well represented. 

  1. Requesting a Record Statement

Insurance adjusters might request a recorded statement hoping to get you to say something that could be used against you later. Even a seemingly harmless comment could be taken out of context to argue that you were at fault for the accident or that your injuries are not as severe as claimed. It’s generally recommended to consult a lawyer before providing such a statement. Don’t let them pick apart your words and use them against you!

  1. Downplaying Injuries

An adjuster might try to downplay the severity of your injuries, arguing they are minor or preexisting. They may also suggest that the discomfort you are experiencing will go away with time. Don’t accept this—listen to your medical providers, and ensure all injuries are properly documented. Your lawyer would know how to handle the situation best and back up your claims with undeniable evidence. It’s unfair to have your severe accident injuries downplayed to merely a passing scab on your knee. 

  1. Quick Settlement Offers

Insurance adjusters may offer a quick settlement to close the case before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or damages. Such offers are typically much lower than what you could potentially recover. They’ll try to gaslight you into accepting circumstances that are severely unbeneficial to you. For this reason and all of those explained above, the smart thing to do is consult an attorney before accepting a settlement offer.

  1. Shifting the Blame

Lastly, insurance adjusters may blame you for reducing the payout. It’s terrible to go through an accident, and it’s even more awful to have all the monetary responsibility thrown in your lap! They might suggest that you were partially or entirely at fault for the accident. And if you don’t have a good lawyer to defend you, they might succeed in their attempt. It’s important to ensure you have gathered all the evidence from the accident scene to back up your version of events.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, while dealing with insurance adjusters can be challenging, understanding their tactics can help you navigate the claims process effectively. The best option that you have it’s to get a lawyer to defend your interests. They’ll be patient, keep meticulous records of your medical treatments, and consider consulting with other professionals when in doubt, all of this to ensure your rights are fully protected.