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If you suffered serious injuries and car damage in an accident that occurred due to another driver’s fault, their insurance company should pay for your expenses and losses. However, while some insurance companies cooperate fully, other insurers will use manipulative and deceptive tactics to try and minimize or deny a victim’s claim. Speaking to a car accident lawyer before communicating with the at-fault party’s insurance can potentially protect you from these often-used tactics insurance companies employ against victims. If the insurance company has already denied your claim or offered you a settlement amount lower than you deserve, legal representation can be a way to protect your rights as well as your financial future. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Tyroler Law Firm today for a free consultation: (651) 259-1113.Manipulative Tactic #1 - Offering a Quick Settlement
One manipulative tactic insurance companies use against victims is offering a quick settlement. While individuals may believe it to be a good sign when an insurance company approaches them offering a settlement shortly after an accident, the reverse is generally true. Insurance companies know that victims need help with their medical bills and other losses and will try to exploit this need to settle as quickly and cheaply as possible. Unfortunately, car accident victims in the middle of recovery typically do not have a full and complete understanding regarding their case’s worth or their expected future medical bills and wage losses. Therefore, accepting a quick settlement offer can be a detrimental financial decision, potentially leaving a victim to try to pay for future medical bills and expenses not covered by the settlement offer. However, with experienced and dedicated legal representation, a victim can attempt to level the playing field and ensure that the insurance is not taking advantage of your situation. It is important to note that once victims sign a settlement offer, they generally lose the right to legal recourse. Therefore, you need to be absolutely sure that the settlement you accept will comprehensively cover all your damages and losses.Manipulative Tactic #2 - Asking Victims for Recorded Statements
Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance may severely harm your case. Insurance companies will try to use recorded statements to their advantage, for example, to minimize a victim’s injuries, or throw doubt on their character.The Dangers of Recorded Statements
Asking for a recorded statement can be one of the manipulative tactics insurance companies will use against victims. There can be several dangers in providing such statements, including:- Getting a victim to say something about your health that the insurer could later use to throw doubt on the severity of your injuries
- Getting a victim to divulge details of the accident that could later be used against them
- Using a victim’s statement to cast doubt on the at-fault party’s liability
Manipulative Tactic #3 - Delaying or Denying Claims
Insurance companies may severely delay or deny valid claims from victims. This is one manipulative tactic insurance companies use against victims in the hope that they will simply give up and walk away.Delaying Your Claim
Insurance companies may try to drag out a claim indefinitely even if they know that the claim is entirely valid. The longer they are not paying you, the more it financially benefits their company. Insurance companies hope that delaying a claim will wear down victims to the extent that they eventually agree to a lower settlement than what they deserve. Victims facing steep medical bills and income losses are anxious to see some money coming in to pay their expenses, and insurance companies understand that victims are overwhelmed. Drawing out a claim also increases the chances of the statute of limitations running out, meaning a victim could lose the legal right to file a lawsuit. As per Minnesota Statute 541.07, individuals generally only have two years for filing a personal injury lawsuit. The Wisconsin Statute 893.54 sets a three-year general time limit for personal injury claims. The time starts running down on the day of your accident and injury. Do not let the insurance company’s deceptive tactics keep you from your rightful compensation and consider seeking legal advice if an insurer is trying to drag out your claim.Denying Your Claim
In some cases, an insurance company will deny your claim entirely or state that the at-fault party is simply not liable for your damages. The insurer may claim:- You are at fault for the accident
- The insured acted unlawfully leading to the insurance company denying your claim
- An unidentified third party caused the accident
- Your damages are not covered due to exclusions in the policy
- There is not enough evidence supporting your claim