What Car Insurance Companies Don't Want You to Know

After a car accident, you’ll talk to more people than you’d ever expect. Not only do you have to report the accident to your own insurance company, but you may also hear from the other driver’s insurance provider. But what many people forget is that the other driver’s insurance company is not on their side. If you take everything they say with a healthy dose of skepticism, you can protect yourself from the underhanded tricks they may use.

Have you been injured in a car accident? Find out how the personal injury team at Peake & Fowler can help you. Call us at 803-788-4370 to get started.

They Delay as Much as They Can

For many insurance adjusters, getting you to drop your settlement efforts is just a matter of waiting you out. Most people have short attention spans, and they know this. If they ignore your calls and your attempts to reach out, there’s a good chance you’ll give up because you believe you don’t have a case. You have to be more persistent than they are.

Expect Them to Minimize Your Injuries

It doesn’t matter how severe your injuries are—the insurance company will do everything in its power to downplay them and make you feel silly for seeking treatment. They might ask for far more documentation than they reasonably need, imply or state that certain treatments are unnecessary, or try to blame your injuries on previous injuries or your line of work. In many cases, these tricks work.

Victims who know their injuries are serious can walk away from these phone calls questioning themselves and wondering if they’re exaggerating their symptoms. Remember that you know your body and injuries better than an insurance adjuster who’s never met you. All they are trying to do is minimize or eliminate their payout.

They Will Check Out Your Social Media

Their accident investigation is likely far more in-depth than you may expect. And their investigation doesn’t just extend to the accident itself—it also includes you. Whatever social media you have, you should expect the insurance company to dig into it. They’re looking for whatever information they can use against you.

Have you been in other accidents? Do you have a long list of preexisting health conditions and injuries? Are you posting about exercising and going back to work right after the accident, even though you’re claiming serious injuries? Whatever is public, they will go through and twist to their own narrative. Be extremely careful about posting after an accident, and consider locking down your social media entirely until the settlement process is over.

They May Mislead You Regarding the Other Party’s Liability

The insurance company is primarily out for their own best interests, but they are also trying to do what is best for their client. That means trying to pin the accident on someone else whenever possible. They may try to shift blame for the accident onto you or a third party. Look out for misleading statements, misrepresentation of evidence, and aggressive efforts to get you to accept partial or full liability.

Their First Settlement Offer is Not Worth It

People are often misled when the other party’s insurance company makes a swift settlement offer. They take this as a good sign that the insurance company is trying to right their client’s wrongs and settle the case in good faith. In reality, they may know just how much your case is worth. They want to get ahead of your efforts to seek legal representation or find out how serious your injuries are. If they offer a pitiful amount and you accept it in exchange for waiving your right to sue, you are barred from seeking further compensation for the same accident if you later realize your injuries are more serious than expected.

Fight for the Compensation You Deserve with Peake & Fowler

How do you make up for the unethical ways insurance adjusters try to limit your compensation? You talk to a Columbia car accident lawyer about your legal rights and options. This gives you a chance to fight for the full and fair compensation you actually deserve. Set up your free consultation now by calling Peake & Fowler at 803-788-4370 or contacting us online.