How Insurance Companies Take Advantage of Accident Victims

Many of us pay insurance premiums faithfully. But wait until you get involved in an accident. You will be shocked at how the insurance company will turn against you. Their catchy slogans and heartwarming commercials suddenly appear as a fallacy. Dealing with insurance adjusters is overwhelming, and their ill-intended tactics leave many accident victims struggling financially and feeling bruised, physically, and emotionally.

Because of the tactics these insurance companies employ to deny the victims their desirable compensation, victims need to seek the help of trustworthy law firms, like Michigan Injury Lawyers, to help deal with them.

Are you a victim of an accident? This article will explore how insurance companies take advantage of accident victims when they most need financial help. This information will help you counter such tactics and secure the compensation you deserve. Read on.

Delay, deny, and defend

The most common method insurance companies use to discourage you is to deny you valid claims, delay the claim process, and then defend their actions. They use this method to wear the claimants down to force them to accept lower settlements or give up on pursuing their claims. The victims who fall under this tactic need finances for medical and personal expenses.

Offering lowball settlement

This gimmick is the work of an insurance adjuster trained to minimize compensation. They employ ways of downplaying the extent of your injuries and damages to influence you to settle for an amount far lower than its actual worth. It is essential to remain patient and have knowledge of the actual cost of your compensation to avoid falling for these tricks. Victims must also consider their non-economic damages to make sure all their damages are included in the compensation.

Shifting all the blame on the victim

Insurance adjusters understand that resorting to blaming the victims will automatically reduce their liability. They may argue and blame that the victim is responsible for the accident or even degrade the severity of the victim’s injuries. This act can cause emotional trauma to the victims when they see the people they rely on turning against them.

Misleading or incomplete information

Insurance policies use complex language and clauses that make it difficult for an average person to contemplate and understand the terms and conditions, unless they hire a lawyer. Insurance adjusters use this lack of knowledge to provide misleading or incomplete information regarding coverage, claim process, and exclusions. It may result in claimants accepting lowball offers or even their claims being denied.

Investigation and surveillance

When the insurance company has tried all the tactics to deny you a claim or make a lowball offer with no success, they opt to conduct surveillance to get evidence of disputing your claims. They may hire a private investigator, monitor your social media accounts, or take the claimant’s medical records without their knowledge.

These actions can add pain to the existing injury, accompanied by a feeling of intrusiveness and intimidation toward the victim.

Pressure to settle quickly

You may face pressure from the insurance company to settle your claim quickly before the extent of the injuries and damage is ascertained. Suppose the victims do not understand their rights. In that case, insurance companies may pretend to show care and goodwill by offering a small initial payment, which may confuse them into accepting a low amount.

Conclusion

Knowing and understanding the tricks and tactics insurance companies use to deny fair compensation or give you lowball offers is essential. This insight will help you counter these ill-intended behaviors of insurance companies and enable you to receive just compensation for your damages and injuries.