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(281) 587-1111
(281) 587-1111
(281) 587-1111
April 17, 2015 by Greg Baumgartner
Dealing with your insurance company for a Houston car wreck claim or an issue is usually a piece of cake. Dealing with an adverse insurance company or insurance adjuster on a claim against another driver is usually a nightmare for most personal injury victims. Understanding adjuster tactics in car wreck injury claims can help you navigate this challenging process.
This article is written to give you some of the tactics commonly used by adverse insurance company adjusters.
Probably the biggest single issue is that personal injury victims who deal with adverse insurance adjusters often deal with the rude attitude of the adjusters. Not all adjusters are rude. Some only become rude and abrupt when the subject of actual money comes up.
Many personal injury victims are lured into false confidence when the adjuster indicates they are “accepting responsibility.” The adjuster will say they will care for the medical expenses when appropriate.
But as soon as the victim supplies the medical records or authorizes the adjuster to obtain them, they learn that the adjuster has some “issues” with the medical treatment.
People should know that finding issues with their medical treatment and “disallowing” some reasonable and necessary charges is just part of their game. Common complaints by the adjuster include it being too long after the accident and too much treatment. They may also say the treatment was too soon and therefore unnecessary, and on and on and on.
Most personal injury victims handling the claim themselves only find out that the adjuster never intended to make a fair offer when the subject of actual compensation comes up. Then the adjuster will typically surprise the unsuspecting victim with a lowball offer. That is all part of their game plan.
People are lured into believing the insurance adjuster will be fair early when the adjuster suggests they are “accepting responsibility.” They assume that they will make a fair offer, but that is not part of the game plan.
Suggesting a statement is necessary for handling the claim
Adjusters often tell unsuspecting personal injury victims that the adjuster cannot process the claim if they do not give a recorded statement. While adjusters always want to obtain recorded statements, most of the time, the intent is to defend the claim and not just gather necessary information.
In clear liability cases, where independent witnesses establish the liability or negligence of the driver, a recorded statement is not necessary. We always advise victims not to give the same.
Insurance adjusters often infer that the personal injury claimant does not need to contact a car wreck attorney to obtain a reasonable settlement. Some outright say, “You don’t need to get a lawyer.” Others will imply that the lawyer will get the money that would otherwise go to the victim.
However, personal injury victims should understand that, in most cases, hiring a highly regarded personal injury attorney will result in a greater financial benefit. An attorney is almost always critically important for severe personal injury or wrongful death. Likewise, if you are injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, retaining the best 18-wheeler attorney is a good start.
They learn that they need a lawyer only after attempting to handle the claim independently. In some cases, they have already compromised their claim to benefit the insurance company. Here are some things the insurance company would rather you not know. However, if you are determined to go it alone, read our secrets to handling your personal injury case.
After a car wreck or other serious accident, insurance adjusters routinely devalue and deflate the true value of the victim’s human damages.
In some cases, the medical expenses are much greater than the suffering or disability of the personal injury victim during the recovery process. Lowballing human damages such as pain and suffering and permanent or temporary disability is a very common tactic with insurance adjusters.
One of the oldest tricks in the book is to delay a claim. Delay favors the insurance company, and in some cases, it can be fatal to the victim’s case. Personal injury cases can take some time to conclude once a lawsuit is filed. But wait too long to file your lawsuit, and the claim might be barred.
If you have been injured in an accident in Houston, TX, and need help, contact our Houston auto accident attorney at Baumgartner Law Firm by calling (281) 587-1111.
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX 77069
Since establishing Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985, Greg Baumgartner has built a reputation as one of Houston’s leading personal injury attorneys, dedicated to representing severely injured victims and families who have lost loved ones due to negligence.
Greg holds two law degrees, a distinction earned by less than 1% of all attorneys, demonstrating his exceptional legal expertise. He is also a prestigious Trial Lawyers College graduate, further enhancing his skills in trial advocacy and litigation.
His relentless commitment to legal excellence and client advocacy has earned him recognition from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers, the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and many others.
With decades of experience, Greg has consistently received top peer reviews. He holds a preeminent rating, a testament to his unwavering dedication to securing justice and maximum compensation for his clients.
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