The aftermath of a car accident in Los Angeles can be rather confusing. Due to their disorientation and unfamiliarity with legal processes, many accident victims are particularly vulnerable to manipulation by those they believe they should trust.
The insurance industry often takes advantage of these circumstances in order to avoid paying victims the full amount they are owed. The situation becomes even direr if the victim has no legal representation. The insurance company’s claim adjusters frequently deceive accident victims to reduce their potential culpability.
3 Strategies used By Insurance Companies to Deceive Car Accident Victims
A victim may lose thousands in compensation that they require to recover from an accident while the adjuster performs the work for which he or she was hired. Adjusters and other employees of insurance companies use the following strategies to limit their exposure to your claim:
- Requesting a Statement from You
Insurance agents frequently convince accident victims that they must file a statement right once detailing their injuries and property damage, or that doing so will simply “help accelerate the claims process.” In truth, these experts are well-trained and know how to be both kind and forceful while advising victims on a course of action that may jeopardize their ability to heal.
To undercut a victim’s claim, the goal is to encourage them to accept partial fault, minimize their injuries (especially if not all of them have yet appeared), or be confused about the details of the accident. These remarks are frequently tape-recorded so that they can be utilized later at trial if necessary.
- Playing the Fake Role of your Ally
Claims adjusters and other insurance representatives are fond of implying that they seem to be doing everything they can to “close the case” and get you compensated as quickly as possible. Of course, this is all part of the script they were given to follow in gaining the trust of accident victims.
While the injury victim is still undergoing treatment for his or her injuries, one common approach is to have checks issued for relatively small amounts, such as the cost of getting a car fixed (medical expenses can be significantly more expensive than car repairs).
A claims adjuster may also follow up on the victim if something else needs to be done. They may also ask for additional records in order to analyze them by the insurance company.
The true purpose is to pacify the victim long enough for the limitation period to run out. To evade the statute of limitations in many states, accident claims must be submitted within three years.
By providing tiny amounts of assistance, victims may believe that the insurance company is on their side and will patiently wait for them to fully understand the depth of their injuries, but this could not be further from the truth. The victim loses the ability to sue for compensation once the statute of limitations has run out, and the payments from that insurance company will abruptly halt.
- Use of Social Media
Following accident victims on social media is a new approach in the era of the Internet. Insurance companies are interested in seeing if you discuss your accident on social media, especially if you mention anything that could indicate you are at fault. The insurance company will also look to see if you appear to be doing things that, given the severity of your injuries, you should not be able to do.
As a result, images and videos of you out partying or engaging in sports, jobs, or other physical activities that your ailments should prevent could jeopardize your claim. Even if there is a rational explanation, such as posing for a posed shot or abusing painkillers, this is true.
Get Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer
It is imperative that you stay calm after an accident. Though you may want to trust your insurance company and follow their lead regarding the resolution of your case, it is probably much better to consult an attorney first.
A personal injury attorney can assist you not only negotiate with the insurance company, but also identify suitable doctors to treat your injuries and speak on your behalf, hiring experts to help recreate the accident and prove that the other motorist was at fault, and so on.
Furthermore, many accident attorneys, such as those at Siman Law Firm, will handle your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not have to pay anything upfront and will only pay a percentage of the recovery the attorney obtains for you if you are successful. You do not have to pay if they do not obtain your money.