Manipulative Tactics Insurance Companies Use Against Victims

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

Insurance adjusters will take note of everything you say and use your statements and remarks to try and lower your settlement payout. Something as innocuous as answering “I am fine” to an adjuster asking how you are doing today, could later be used against you in settlement negotiations or in court.

Victims should note that there is no legal requirement for providing a recorded statement. Therefore, it is best to deny any requests for recorded statements and consider contacting an attorney to learn more about your legal rights. An experienced personal injury attorney at Tyroler Injury Law knows how to handle the insurance adjusters without compromising your rights to full and fair compensation.

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

Unfortunately, some victims give up once their claim is denied and walk away without the compensation they deserve. Unfortunately, denying a claim is a common tactic insurance companies will use against victims. However, victims can potentially still recover what they deserve by learning about their legal right to compensation under the law.

Tyroler Injury Law Can Negotiate With Insurance Companies On Your Behalf

Our legal team understands that car accident victims often feel overwhelmed after a serious accident and are anxiously awaiting compensation for their injuries and damages. Tyroler Injury Law can be here for you during this upsetting and difficult time. Our experienced attorneys can handle the insurance company, track your claim, and negotiate for a comprehensive and fair settlement on your behalf. If the insurance company proves unwilling to compensate you adequately, we can take your case all the way to trial and work tirelessly to pursue what you need and deserve. Call us today at (651) 259-1113 for a free case review to find out how we can help you.

Attorney Isaac Tyroler

Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]