All accident victims will have to deal with an insurance adjuster. Their job is to evaluate your claim and offer a settlement.
But it’s important to remember that their goal is to save the insurance company money. Unfortunately, this often means offering victims much less than they deserve.
Adjusters are trained to use numerous tactics that may seem helpful at first but are actually designed to minimize your payout. Knowing their tricks can help you protect yourself and secure a fair settlement.
For accident victims, a consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference. These legal professionals know how to counter the tactics of the insurance adjusters and ensure your rights are upheld.
In this article, we’ll discuss four common ways adjusters try to trick victims into accepting low settlements and how you can avoid falling for them.They Downplay Your Injuries
One of the most common tactics adjusters use is to minimize the severity of your injuries. They may:
- Suggest that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim
- Question why you didn’t seek immediate medical attention
- Push for a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known
This tactic is designed to convince you that your claim isn’t worth much. If you accept a low settlement too early, you might miss out on compensation for future medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery needs.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Always seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you feel fine
- Follow your doctor’s advice and keep records of all treatments and diagnoses
- Avoid settling your claim until your injuries and recovery plan are fully understood
- They Shift the Blame on You
Insurance adjusters often try to argue that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident. By shifting blame onto you, they can reduce or deny your claim.
For example:
- They might question your actions leading up to the accident
- They could argue that you were speeding or distracted
- They may rely on vague statements you made to prove their point
Even if you share some fault, it doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to compensation. In many states, you can still recover damages as long as you are not primarily responsible for the accident. This is possible under comparative negligence laws.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be cautious about what you say to the adjuster—stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault
- Collect evidence from the accident scene, such as photos and witness statements
- Let your lawyer handle discussions about liability with the insurance company
- They Bring Up Pre-Existing Conditions
Adjusters often look for ways to link your injuries to pre-existing conditions rather than the accident. For example:
- If you’ve had prior back pain, they might claim that your current injury isn’t related to the crash
- They may dig through your medical history to find anything that weakens your case
This tactic is designed to lower the value of your claim by arguing that your injuries existed before the accident.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be honest about your medical history, but don’t let the adjuster intimidate you
- Work with your doctor to document how the accident aggravated or caused your condition
- Provide only the medical records that are relevant to your claim
- They Cause Unnecessary Delays
Insurance companies know that financial stress can pressure victims into accepting low settlements. Adjusters may intentionally delay the process by:
- Requesting unnecessary paperwork
- Taking weeks or months to respond to your claim
- Asking for repeated statements or documents
These delays are frustrating and can make you feel like settling quickly is your only option.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Stay organized and keep copies of all documents and communications
- Follow up regularly to check the status of your claim
- Consider hiring a lawyer to handle the delays and push for a timely resolution
Conclusion
Insurance adjusters use various tricks to convince accident victims to accept low settlements, from downplaying injuries to shifting blame. By understanding these tactics, you can better protect yourself and your claim.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can handle the adjuster’s tactics, fight for your rights, and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
