How Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Your Settlement and How to Fight Back
If you’ve been in an accident, you expect the insurance company to provide fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Unfortunately, insurance companies often attempt to minimize settlement payouts.
Whether you’re dealing with your own insurance company or the at-fault parties, it’s important to understand how these companies operate and how you can protect your rights. Here, you will find the common tactics insurance companies use to reduce settlement amounts and how you can fight back with the help of a skilled Seattle accident attorney.
Why Insurance Companies Minimize Settlements
At their core, insurance companies are businesses, and like any business, their primary goal is to make a profit. The less they pay out in claims, the more money they keep. As a result, insurers often employ tactics to devalue claims, delay payments, or deny them altogether. If you’re dealing with an accident, working with an experienced injury lawyer is crucial to protect your interests.
Let’s break down some common strategies insurance companies use to minimize settlements.
Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Minimize Your Settlement
1. Offering Quick, Lowball Settlements
One of the most common tactics insurance companies use is offering a quick settlement after an accident. They might immediately approach you with a reasonable offer, knowing that you might be feeling stressed and overwhelmed with medical bills and lost wages. They hope that you’ll accept the offer before you have a chance to fully understand the extent of your injuries or consult a Seattle accident attorney.
The problem with quick settlements is that they often don’t account for long-term medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, or pain and suffering. By accepting a low offer too soon, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
2. Disputing Liability
Another way insurance companies try to minimize settlements is by disputing liability. Even when the other party’s fault seems obvious, the insurer may argue that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident. They may comb through the police report or gather witness statements to find any small detail they can use to shift the blame onto you.
In Washington, the state follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for an accident, your settlement could be reduced by 20%. Having an injury lawyer in your corner can help prevent the insurance company from unfairly blaming you for the accident.
3. Delaying the Claims Process
Another frustrating tactic used by insurance companies is dragging out the claims process. They may delay responding to your claim, request unnecessary documentation, or continuously ask for more time to investigate the accident. Their goal is to frustrate you into accepting a lower settlement offer out of desperation.
Delays can also pressure you if you’re dealing with mounting medical bills or can’t return to work. An experienced Seattle accident attorney can help push the process forward and ensure the insurance company doesn’t exploit your situation.
4. Downplaying the Severity of Your Injuries
Insurance adjusters often downplay the severity of injuries sustained in an accident, especially if the injuries aren’t immediately apparent or don’t involve visible trauma. The insurance company may minimize soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and long-term chronic pain as “minor” or not serious enough to warrant a higher settlement.
Insurance companies might request access to your medical records or even have you examined by a doctor. They may try to argue that your injuries were pre-existing or not caused by the accident at all.
By working with an injury lawyer, you can ensure that your injuries are thoroughly documented and that you receive fair compensation for all medical treatments, including future care needs.
5. Using Your Words Against You
After an accident, it’s common for an insurance adjuster to contact you for a statement. However, they may use anything you say against you later. Even innocent remarks like “I’m feeling better” or “It wasn’t that bad” can be used to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.
Insurance companies may also ask leading questions to elicit responses that could hurt your case. It’s always best to consult a Seattle accident attorney before speaking with the insurance company.
6. Requesting a Recorded Statement
Insurance adjusters may request that you provide a recorded statement for their investigation. While this might seem like a routine step, it’s another tactic to catch you off guard and gather information that can later be used to minimize your claim.
You are not required to provide a recorded statement to the insurance company. It’s often in your best interest to decline this request until you’ve spoken with an injury lawyer.
How to Fight Back Against Insurance Company Tactics
Dealing with insurance companies can be intimidating, especially when you’re trying to recover from an accident. Here’s how you can fight back and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve:
1. Hire an Experienced Injury Lawyer
The most important step you can take to protect your rights is to hire an experienced Seattle accident attorney. A lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company, gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate a fair settlement. Legal representation makes you less likely to fall victim to the insurance company’s tactics.
2. Don’t Rush to Settle
While it may be tempting to accept a quick settlement, especially if you’re facing financial difficulties, it’s important to wait until you fully understand the scope of your injuries and the long-term impact on your life. Consult with your injury lawyer before accepting any offers from the insurance company.
3. Document Everything
Keep detailed records of your medical treatments, accident-related expenses, and any communications with the insurance company. Documentation is key to building a strong case and demonstrating the true value of your claim.
4. Stay Off Social Media
Insurance companies may monitor your social media accounts for evidence contradicting your injury claims. For example, if you post a picture of yourself engaging in physical activities, the insurance company might argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. Avoid posting anything related to your accident or recovery on social media until your case is resolved.
5. Be Patient
Insurance companies may try to wear you down with delays, but patience is vital. Trust that your Seattle accident attorney is working in your best interest and will fight for the compensation you deserve, even if it takes time.
What To Know About Working With the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing settlements, but you don’t have to face them alone. By understanding their tactics and working with an experienced injury lawyer, you can fight back and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Seattle, contact a Seattle accident attorney today to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
