When you are a victim of an injury, you will most likely deal with an insurance adjuster at some point if you are seeking financial compensation for your injuries. Unfortunately, some insurance companies are more predatory and look for opportunities to avoid compensating injury victims for their pain, suffering, and financial loss. That makes hiring a personal injury lawyer essential if you or a loved one is an injury victim, as it will help you avoid being taken advantage of by an insurance adjuster.
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the type of accident you were in, you may have lost wages, hospital and doctor bills, physical therapy, and possibly mental health therapy. Keep reading to learn more about how to avoid the tricks that shady insurance adjusters may try to use and why it is essential to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and needs.
Most Common Tricks Insurance Adjusters Will Try
Injury victims often find themselves dealing with unscrupulous insurance adjusters who are doing their best to keep the negligent party from having to be held financially responsible for the accident and injuries.
Thankfully, personal injury lawyers who are experienced trial attorneys can help protect your rights and navigate the complex legal system to ensure that, as an injury victim, you don’t miss out on the opportunity to receive the compensation you deserve. Whether in a car accident, work-related accident, or another type of injury, you need an attorney who knows personal injury law.
#1. Ask You to Make a Statement on Record Immediately
The claims adjuster may ask you to make a statement on record immediately and even try to get you to say something that may make you look like you are partially or entirely at fault, even if they know you were not. An insurance adjuster may ask manipulative or leading questions, resulting in you responding in a way that may hurt your case and using it to dispute or deny your claim.
#2. Deny Liability
Generally, an accident victim feels vulnerable and shaken up, having just been through a traumatic accident. Insurance adjusters understand accident victims’ stress, including financial stress and the need to undergo medical treatment.
Depending on the circumstances, the insurance claim adjuster may gaslight you and deny their client was at fault. They can use this tactic to get you to admit total or at least partial fault. They may even attempt to shift blame in responsibility to a third party.
#3. Offering a Low-Ball Settlement
Insurance companies hire adjusters to look out for their best interests. Often, an insurance adjuster will do their best to undermine the value of your claim by minimizing your injuries and offering you a low settlement.
They may even utilize delay tactics to intentionally frustrate you and wear on your patience so that you may accept a lower offer to have a faster settlement. Unfortunately, this can lead to you receiving a lower financial settlement when you are entitled to much more.
#4. Lead You Into Believing There Is a Deadline on the Offer
The adjuster may try to make you think that you’re required to accept their offer by a specific date; however, it is an arbitrary deadline, and you are not required to accept any offer, especially if you are still receiving medical treatment. Whatever you do, do not ever accept the first offer they put on the table.
#5. Request Unnecessary Medical Documents
The insurance adjuster may even request old medical or other unnecessary documents to delay resolving your claim. However, if they get a hold of old medical records, it can hurt your case, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or injury unrelated to the accident. It’s essential to get the advice of a personal injury attorney before releasing any documents to ensure you don’t fall into this trap.
#6. Attempt to Downplay Your Injuries
Often, an insurance adjuster will even downplay your injuries and insist that you are exaggerating your injuries and even minimize the trauma of the experience. A claims adjuster may even attempt to sound like they have extensive medical knowledge and speak with authority. If you feel like an adjuster is bullying you, talk with a personal injury attorney to help you protect your rights and ensure you get what you deserve.
#7. Try to Persuade You Not to Seek Legal Counsel or Advice
With the first sign or mention of hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you in your injury claim, many insurance claim adjusters will do their best to discourage you. An adjuster knows that once someone has legal representation, their scare tactics and tricks will be ineffective because you have an attorney who understands personal injury law, how to protect your rights, and what you are entitled to for compensation.
#8. They Will Try to Convince You That They Are on Your Side
If you are talking with an insurance adjuster who is representing the party at fault and they indicate in any way that they are going to help you or have your best interest in mind, they are lying. Their job is to protect the company or negligent party they represent.
When a claims adjuster acts as though you have nothing to worry about and they will take care of you, this is a manipulation tactic. You must beware of the risk of losing your case and contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Turn to Pullano & Siporin For Legal Representation After Your Injury
If you are an injury victim, choosing the right law firm is crucial for protecting your rights and receiving fair compensation.
The team of experienced lawyers at Pullano & Siporin have extensive experience as trial lawyers in Chicago and Illinois. We offer personalized attention, decades of experience, a commitment to justice, and a proven track record as personal injury attorneys. Contact us to schedule a consultation today. Let us advocate for justice for you and successfully achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
