Indianapolis is the capital city of Indiana. It is the biggest city in the state. About 887,000 people live in Indianapolis. It is famous for the Indy 500 car race, which is the world’s biggest one-day sporting event.
As Indianapolis is a busy city, accidents are very common. Due to that, many people in Indianapolis may need help with personal injury claims. This is where they need to find a personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis. Because these lawyers can help people get money for their medical bills and other expenses.
After meeting with an accident, people think that their insurance company will pay for the damages dealt. But unfortunately, it’s a huge misconception. Insurance companies often look for ways to reduce the settlement. They use certain tactics that help them to reduce your payment.
In this article, let’s discuss how insurance companies use various tactics to reduce your claim.
Quick Settlements
One of the most common tricks insurance companies use is offering a quick settlement. Adjusters from the insurance company may contact you and provide you a check. It might seem tempting if you’re facing a huge pile of medical bills.
Accepting these offers could be the worst decision to make. Because these offers usually come before you know the full cost of your injuries. Once you accept the settlement, there is no way you can reclaim it again if you want more money later.
Using Your Statements Against You
Generally, it is advised not to say anything to anyone without professional advice. Because insurance companies can use these words against you. This can weaken your claim.
Adjusters ask questions about your accident, expecting you to say something to minimize your claim. They are trained to ask the same question in different ways. So, it is very important to avoid unnecessary conversation about the accident.
Questioning the Severity of Your Injuries
Another key tactic is to downplay your injuries. Insurance companies use this tactic to reduce the claim. They do this by saying that your injuries are minor and unrelated to the accident. They may even argue that some medical care was unnecessary.
Another tactic used is blaming your pre-existing health conditions. They might say your current condition or injury is not related to the accident.
Delaying the Claim Process
Insurance companies delay the claim process on purpose to make you feel frustrated. They do this to lower your claim and force you to accept a low settlement. Common ways may include
- Asking for the same paperwork again.
- Taking a long time to return your calls or emails.
- Unnecessary delays in medical investigations.
These delays can last for weeks or even months.
Arguing About Who Is Responsible
Disputing liability is also a cheap tactic insurance companies use to reduce your claim. This means they argue about who is at fault for the accident. They may shift part of the blame onto you. This tactic is mostly used in car accidents or slip-and-fall accidents.
They might even argue that your injuries were caused by something that is not related to the accident. Consulting a lawyer in such situations is important because they know how to prove fault and increase your chances of getting full compensation.
Key Takeaways
- Insurance companies have years of experience in lowering your settlement.
- They offer you quick settlement offers, which might seem good at first, but they are not.
- They may use tactics like using your statement against you. So be aware of what you speak.
- Insurance companies knowingly delay your claim process and force you to sign quick offers.
- They may also argue about who is liable for the accident and put the blame on you.
