Dirty Tactics Of Insurance Adjusters In Auto Accident Cases (And How To Beat Them)

If you’ve been in an auto crash, making a claim with your insurance company should be the way to fair compensation. But, as soon as you call in a report about that crash, you’re no longer having a conversation with a friendly representative — you’re sitting across the table from a savvy insurance adjuster now in active negotiation seeking to save their company money.

They can seem polite and helpful, but insurance adjusters are not your friend. They are highly trained professionals whose job it is to protect their company’s financial bottom line — and they have countless strategies and tactics to undervalue, delay, or deny your auto accident claim.

In this article, we’ll reveal the sneaky things insurance adjusters do to try to rip you off after a car accident, as well as why taking advantage of the insurance company’s tricks may be the only way to get what you deserve.

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Why Auto Accident Claims Get Blown Out Of Proportion

Get medical help right away, even if you think injuries are mild.

Injuries may not be readily apparent, and medical records are evidentiary to your case.

Misinterpret policy language

Play your ignorance of the law

Use psychological pressure

Introduce procedural delays

If you are aware of the most frequent tricks, you can be better poised to push back.

Its Pressuring You to Give a Recorded Statement.

Adjusters often will request a recorded statement saying it’s “routine” or “necessary.” In truth, they're looking for:

Inconsistencies in your story

Admissions of fault

Statements that downplay your injuries

Something as simple and innocent as “I’m feeling better today”
could even be turned against you later.

How to Protect Yourself:

You don’t have a legal obligation to provide a recorded statement

Decline politely or tell them to contact your lawyer

If you feel you have to comment, stick to facts and don’t speculate

Minimizing the Extent of Your Injuries

Adjusters will often try to "downplay" your medical condition by asserting:

You delayed getting treatment

Your injuries are soft tissue – not severe if there are no broken bones or paralysis

You’re exaggerating your symptoms

Peirce then formulated said scheme in an effort to lower the payout on medical bills,
pain and suffering, and future care.

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How to Protect Yourself:

Get immediate medical treatment, even if you’re feeling O.K. — symptoms can emerge days later

Follow any treatments as directed and keep track of your recovery

llustrate how your injury affects your everyday life with a pain journal

Offering a Fast, Lowball Settlement

Some (but not all) adjusters also will offer a fast settlement within days of the crash.

This is meant to:

Capitalize on your financial stress

Don't settle when you haven't even begun to understand the full scope of your injury

Put you down to sign a release, waiving any right to be compensated for ongoing injuries or damages or for future complaints

Once you sign, you cannot later return to ask for more, even if complications occur.

How to Protect Yourself:

Hold off on any Settlement until your maximum medical improvement (MMI)

Understand the entirety of your injuries, medical expenses and lost income

Any settlement offer should always be reviewed by a lawyer

Disputing Liability or Blaming You

They could also try to place the blame on you, even if only partly, by arguing that:

“You were speeding or distracted.”
“You weren’t wearing a seatbelt.”
“No, there is no evidence that our driver was in the wrong."

In states with what is known as comparative negligence, being even partially at fault can greatly diminish the amount of compensation you receive.

How to Protect Yourself:

Gather evidence: photos, police reports, witness contact information, dashcam footage

Never admit fault at the scene or to the adjuster

Permit legal counsel to conduct all liability talks and correspondence

Dragging Out the Process

Delays are a strategic move.

They hope you get frustrated or poor enough to accept less than you deserve.

Common delay tactics include:

“We’re still reviewing your documents.”
“The other side has not yet responded.”
“We need more information in order to proceed.”

Record All Contacts in Writing

And get clearly written deadlines for their responses.

If not, then perhaps get an attorney drafting a law suit or two and put some legal pressure on them.

Requesting Unnecessary Medical Records

Adjusters might request complete records of your medical history, saying they must confirm your injuries. In reality, they’re looking for:

Pre-existing conditions to blame

Gaps in treatment

Whatever they can find to minimize= your claim

How to Protect Yourself:

Furnish only what medical records are applicable (Accident related)

Don’t sign open-ended authorizations allowing them to obtain your entire medical history

Let your lawyer handle requests for documents

Saying It’s Not Necessary to Get a Lawyer

Adjusters may say things like:

“You will get less if you hire a lawyer.”
“We are providing them with a fair offer — no reason to muddy the waters.
“Lawyers just slow things down.”

The truth? Claimants who have attorneys typically receive much higher settlements because they can’t be jerked around.

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How to Protect Yourself

Don’t ever think the insurance company will give you what’s “fair.”

Get Advice from a Personal Injury Attorney Right Away

Permit your lawyer to deal with these negotiables, document the deal and argue on your behalf

Why You Need Car Accident Lawyer

Auto injury cases can appear to be simple, but insurance companies are experts at taking advantage of the unprepared. A car accident attorney can:

Gather evidence and prove liability

Compute damages (medical, lost wages, pain & suffering) precisely

Handle all adjuster communication

Struggle for your full settlement or court damages

Insurance Companies And Payouts: Why You Need A Lawyer Insurance adjusters take advantage of psychological tactics and calculated delays to lower the value of auto accident payouts. They may sound friendly, but they have a job to do: settle your loss for as cheap as possible.

Don’t be taken in by their games. Know Your Rights, Get Your Case Documented and Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney to represent your financial interests.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY!

Note: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

FOUNDER & TRIAL ATTORNEY

Meet Shawn Mangoli

“Shawn Mangoli, the founder of Beverly Hills Injury Firm, is a distinguished trial attorney specializing in personal injury law. With a decade of experience in civil litigation, Shawn has successfully championed the rights of those injured due to negligence, securing numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. Recognized consistently by Super Lawyers and a respected member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and American Attorneys for Justice, Shawn’s commitment to justice is profound and unwavering.”

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