Navigating a personal injury claim can be challenging, especially when dealing with insurance companies. At Johnson and Taylor, we help personal injury clients throughout Oregon recover the compensation they need and deserve after an accident. Being aware of the tricks and tactics that insurance companies often employ to minimize payouts or deny personal injury claims can help you understand how to protect your rights and interests.
Low Initial Settlement Offers
One of the most common tactics used by insurance adjusters is to initially offer a settlement amount that’s substantially lower than the actual value of the claim. This insurance trick is intended to set a lower starting point for negotiations and test a victim’s willingness to accept a lower settlement amount. Regardless of whether you’ve been hurt in a car crash or slip-and-fall accident, it’s never a good idea to sign anything or accept a settlement offer without speaking to our personal injury lawyers in Oregon first.
It’s also important to understand that this applies to your own insurance company as well. Insurance policy jargon is deliberately complicated, which makes it easier to misrepresent the terms of coverage. While you may think they’re on your side, unfortunately, their number one goal is to pay as little as possible. Our personal injury attorneys or car accident lawyers can evaluate your case and give you a straightforward assessment of what it may be worth.
Seeking Recorded or Written Statements
Shortly after an accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you to give a recorded or written statement. Although they may present this as a routine practice or necessary for processing the claim, you may not be required to give them a statement on demand. The main goal of obtaining your statement is to gather evidence that can be used to dispute liability, devalue your claim, or downplay your injuries. If they ask for a statement, refer them to your personal injury attorney.
High Pressure Tactics
Insurance adjusters may employ high-pressure tactics to convince you to accept a settlement before you’ve had a chance to fully assess the extent of your injuries, understand your legal rights, or consult with our personal injury lawyers. They may express a sense of urgency and emphasize the benefits of avoiding lengthy litigation to come to a swift resolution.
In fact, the list of what insurance adjusters won’t tell you is quite long. Most claims are settled out of court. Our experienced personal injury attorneys know how to counter their scare tactics and protect your interests.
Encouraging You to Settle Without a Lawyer
Insurance adjusters know that personal injury lawyers won’t let them get away with using underhanded tactics or tricks. They also know that in all likelihood, your payout will be much higher if you hire an accident lawyer to help with your case. If an adjuster tries to discourage you from speaking to an attorney, don’t pay them any mind. Our personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency basis, so you really have nothing to lose in having your case evaluated by our legal professionals.
Asking for Your Medical Records
An insurer may tell you that you’re required to give them immediate access to your medical records – this is usually false unless access is needed to pay medical bills. Unfortunately, insurance claim reviewers will use your medical records to find any reason to deny your claim. Regardless of whether it’s your own insurance company or another party’s insurer, always talk to our accident attorneys before consenting to release your medical records to anyone.
Downplaying Injuries
Insurers often attempt to minimize the extent of a victim’s injuries to pay less on a claim. They question the severity of the person’s symptoms, blame a pre-existing condition, or challenge the necessity of certain medical treatments. In addition, to avoid paying damages like pain and suffering or loss of earning capacity, they may minimize the impact an injury has had on a victim’s quality of life or ability to work. In some cases, they enlist medical or vocational experts who support their position and undermine your case. Our personal injury lawyers can counter this with our own experts and evidence.
Disputing Liability
If there is a shred of ambiguity about who’s liable for an accident, an insurance company may try to shift blame onto the claimant or declare that the insured party isn’t responsible for damages. This is particularly common in cases involving commercial vehicles, as trucking company insurance policies often have high limits. If you’ve been hurt in this type of situation, it’s vital to seek the counsel of our experienced truck accident attorneys as soon as possible.
Delay Tactics
Insurance adjusters may deliberately delay the claims process by requesting excessive documentation, scheduling unnecessary meetings, or prolonging investigations. These delays can be frustrating, especially when an injured victim finds themselves in a precarious financial situation due to an accident. In these circumstances, insurers hope you’ll accept a lower settlement out of desperation. Don’t let insurers prey on you at this vulnerable time. You can count on your personal injury lawyer to handle all aspects of your claim, fight to help you get the full amount of compensation you deserve, and keep things moving as quickly as possible.
What to Do If an Insurance Company Will Not Pay a Claim
If an insurer refuses to pay or offer a reasonable settlement for your damages, contact our personal injury lawyers. Getting legal help with insurance claims greatly increases your chances of a successful outcome. We can help level the playing field and negotiate a settlement that adequately compensates you for your losses.
At Johnson and Taylor, we know that dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be daunting. Our personal injury attorneys serve clients in Salem, Eugene, Bend, the Oregon Coast, Medford, and throughout Oregon. Our team litigates probate and estate planning and divorce and family law matters as well.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Salem, Oregon
Our personal injury attorneys at Johnson and Taylor provide tenacious, compassionate legal support you can trust. Members of our team are fluent in Spanish. To schedule a free consultation with our accident attorneys in Salem, OR, contact us online or call 503-990-6641.