Insurance companies are in the business to make a profit. To be successful, they must take in as much money as they can through premiums while paying out as little as possible, using every legal means to avoid rewarding claims. If you are involved in an auto accident, the second part of that equation relates to you. Here are three common tactics utilized by insurance companies to keep you from getting the money you’re owed:
1. Limiting or Denying Liability
Many times your own insurer will look to the language of your insurance policy for ways to avoid having to compensate you. Although the insurance company may cite an exclusion that they argue limits their obligations to you, do not hesitate to challenge their assessment of your claim. Keep in mind that simply because the insurance company asserts that an exclusion is applicable does not necessarily make it so. Read your policy carefully and consult an attorney to help make the case that your claim is not affected by any exceptions contained in the policy.
2. Minimizing Your Injury
A commonly employed approach is to minimize the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. The insurance company will seek evidence that shows that the accident was not that severe or that it was not severe enough to cause the types of injuries that the plaintiff claims. The insurance company will generally hire an expert medical doctor to perform an “independent medical examination” of the injured party, during which the hired doctor is asked to determine the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. As you can imagine, these hired experts very often conclude that the plaintiff’s injuries were not as severe as claimed or that the plaintiff underwent excessive treatment. The insurance company will also likely try to prove that all or some of the claimed injuries existed prior to the accident. The insurer will comb through medical records from before the accident looking for any evidence that the plaintiff previously sought treatment for the same type of injury.
3. Claiming a Lack of Evidence
Insurance companies also often seek to limit their liability by claiming that the plaintiff has failed to substantiate his or her claim with ample evidence. The insurer may argue that it will not compensate for certain injuries because the plaintiff has failed to provide documentation from a physician who attributes the injury to the accident. The failure to file a police report after a car accident can lead some insurers to question which driver was actually at fault, and the carrier may try to deny coverage on that basis. So, the most important thing for a plaintiff to do is to gather evidence relating to the accident and to keep records of all medical treatment, lost wages and photographs of injuries or property damage. The more information the plaintiff can present in support of their claim, the stronger the case will be.
Personal injury lawyers can even the playing field with insurance companies by not only giving the claimant a voice, but also a resource. Our firm will gather evidence and present it to the insurance company and court to prove to them that you deserve a larger settlement. Hiring a lawyer not only means that you are assured that your case is taken seriously by insurance companies, it also means that your case is settled earlier, and you get the most money for your injuries and losses. Even in a David-versus-Goliath battle, its nice to know that the sling and stone can come in the form of a personal injury lawyer to overcome the odds.
Real-Life Scenario: Giving the Cold Shoulder
“In a recent local case, I had a client who was in an accident where he broke several ribs. Shortly after being treated for those injuries, he began having pain in his right shoulder as a result of the accident. His insurance company claims that his shoulder injury was not a result of the accident because he failed to bring it up in the hospital when he was being treated for his broken ribs. This is a very common tactic employed by insurance adjustors for dealing with any delayed injuries or pain resulting from an auto accident,” Brad says.
Brad’s Advice
“My first advice is to never give a statement to an insurance adjustor before taking time to reflect upon exactly what happened or before seeing a doctor to determine the extent of your injuries.”
“Never, never, never agree to an ‘independent’ medical exam suggested by the insurance company. They hire doctors that are slanted and will always skew things to their favor.”
“Even though Texas residents have two years from the day of the accident to file a claim, you don’t want to wait that long. The memories won’t be as fresh, and there is the possibility that the defendant could have moved out of the state.”
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Area Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free consultation. We help car accident victims throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
