After a car accident, you might expect the at-fault driver's insurance company to treat you fairly and pay for your injuries. Unfortunately, that is not how the insurance industry works. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their primary goal is to pay out as little as possible on every claim.
At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we have spent decades fighting insurance companies on behalf of injured accident victims across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Here are the tactics insurance companies commonly use and practical advice on how to protect your rights.
Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use
1. The Quick Settlement Offer
One of the most common tactics is making a fast, lowball settlement offer. The adjuster may contact you within days and offer what sounds generous. But you are being asked to settle before you know the full extent of your injuries. Many injuries take weeks or months to fully manifest. Once you sign a settlement release, you waive your right to seek additional compensation forever.
2. Requesting a Recorded Statement
The adjuster may ask you to provide a recorded statement. They will frame this as routine, but the purpose is to get you to say something that can be used against you. Even innocent remarks can be taken out of context to argue you were at fault or your injuries are not serious.
3. Surveillance and Social Media Monitoring
Insurance companies frequently hire private investigators to conduct surveillance. They may follow you, photograph you, or record video looking for evidence that contradicts your injury claims. They also routinely monitor social media accounts. A photo of you smiling at a family event could be used against you.
4. Disputing Medical Treatment
Insurers often challenge your medical treatment, arguing certain procedures were unnecessary or that your injuries were caused by a pre-existing condition. They may send your records to a company-paid doctor for an independent medical examination that is anything but independent.
5. Delaying the Claims Process
Some insurance companies deliberately drag out the process, hoping financial pressure will force you to accept a lower settlement. They may repeatedly request additional documentation or simply be slow to respond.
How to Protect Yourself
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement Without an Attorney
You are under no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. Politely decline and say you will be consulting with an attorney first.
Be Careful on Social Media
The safest approach is to avoid posting anything on social media while your claim is pending. Do not post anything related to the accident, your injuries, or your activities. Set your profiles to private.
Follow Your Doctor's Treatment Plan
Attend all scheduled medical appointments and follow your doctor's recommendations. Gaps in treatment give the insurance company ammunition to argue your injuries are not serious.
Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer
Unless you have consulted with an experienced attorney and are confident the offer is fair, do not accept the first settlement. Initial offers are almost always far below the true value of your claim.
Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
The single most important step you can take is to hire an experienced attorney. Studies consistently show that represented accident victims recover significantly more compensation, even after attorney fees.
How Dr. Ted Injury Law Handles Insurance Companies
When you hire Dr. Ted Injury Law, the insurance company deals with us, not you. We handle all communications, which means no more stressful phone calls, no recorded statements, and no pressure to accept an unfair settlement. Our approach includes:
- Conducting a thorough investigation to establish clear liability
- Documenting the full extent of your injuries and damages with medical experts
- Calculating the true value of your claim including future needs
- Negotiating aggressively with the insurance company
- Taking your case to trial if the insurer refuses fair compensation
We have recovered more than $500 million for our clients and are not afraid to go to court. Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today at (800) 555-HURT for a free consultation.