After a car accident, negotiating with insurance companies can be as big a headache as recovering from injuries. While victims expect fair compensation for losses, most insurance companies in Hackensack try to minimize payouts. Claims adjusters are professionals at protecting their company’s financial assets, often using tactics that push victims to settle for less financial compensation than they deserve.
If you have been hurt in a collision, a Hackensack car accident lawyer can help you avoid these pitfalls and obtain the compensation that you deserve. Knowing how claims adjusters work is key to safeguarding your rights. Below are the four typical methods they use to trick car crash victims into accepting less.
1. Offering a Quick Settlement
One of the most common ploys is presenting an initial offer of settlement before the victim realizes the full magnitude of their loss or injury. The adjusters will frame this as a service—telling you they don’t want to put you through the inconvenience of a lengthy claims process. But these opening offers are usually substantially less than the victim is entitled to.
Most of the injuries, especially soft tissue injury or concussion, do not show their full effect at the time. When you settle your case too quickly, you can discover that afterwards your medical costs and your rehabilitation costs significantly exceed the amount you settled for. Once you settle, you forfeit your right to receive further compensation, even if your condition worsens. Always sit down with a doctor and a personal injury attorney before you accept any settlement offer.
2. Downplaying Injuries and Damages
Adjusters may argue that a victim’s injuries are not as severe as claimed to justify a lower payout. They might:
- Question the necessity of medical treatments.
- Suggest pre-existing conditions are responsible for the injuries.
- Use gaps in medical treatment against the victim, claiming they weren’t truly injured.
These tactics are meant to devalue a claim and pressure victims into settling for less. That’s why it’s critical to follow your doctor’s recommendations, attend all medical appointments, and keep thorough records of your diagnosis, treatments, and medical bills. The more documentation you have, the harder it is for the insurance company to dispute your claim.
3. Delaying the Claims Process
Some insurance adjusters intentionally delay the claims process, knowing that accident victims may become desperate for financial relief. The longer they drag things out, the more pressure victims feel to settle, especially if they are struggling with medical bills, lost wages, or other financial burdens.
By prolonging negotiations, insurers hope that victims will give up and accept a lowball settlement just to move on. In some cases, they may even stop responding to communications altogether, leaving victims feeling helpless. To counteract this, stay persistent, keep detailed records of all correspondence, and consider hiring a personal injury attorney to keep the claims process moving forward.
4. Misrepresenting Policy Coverage
Another deceptive strategy is misleading victims about their own or the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits. Adjusters might claim:
- The policy does not cover certain types of damages.
- There is a strict cap on compensation, when in reality, higher limits may apply.
- The victim is partially or fully at fault, reducing their settlement amount.
Many accident victims are unfamiliar with the fine print of insurance policies, making it easy for adjusters to take advantage of them. To protect yourself, request a copy of the insurance policy and review it carefully. If you suspect the adjuster is withholding information or misrepresenting policy details, consult a legal professional who can advocate for your rights.
