On the phone, the insurance adjuster seems friendly and genuinely concerned about your well-being after a car accident. The only problem is that the settlement number they offer you seems too small. Is there anything you can do to negotiate lowball settlement offers after a crash?
At Alderson Law, Ryan Alderson sees firsthand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts and undermine their responsibility to Greenville accident victims. Alderson Law works to shield accident victims from these kinds of unfair tactics while fighting for their right to receive maximum compensation.
Pressuring Car Accident Victims to Settle Too Soon
Insurance companies know that many accident victims feel financial pressure immediately after a crash. Medical bills start pouring in while lost wages create additional stress for families already dealing with the challenge of recovery.
Insurance adjusters often exploit this vulnerability by making lowball settlement offers within days of an accident. They present these offers as generous gestures, emphasizing the company's desire to help you move forward quickly. However, these early offers rarely reflect the actual cost of your recovery. Many injuries worsen over time or require extensive rehabilitation that becomes apparent only weeks or months after an accident. Some examples can include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussions
- PTSD and trauma
- Neck and spine injuries
Insurance companies count on victims signing releases before they can understand the full scope of their damages. A Greenville auto accident attorney can evaluate whether an early settlement offer adequately compensates you for current and future losses. At Alderson Law, we know what numbers to expect and protect our clients from accepting an offer before the specifics of their recovery become clear.
Recording Statements to Undermine Your Claim
Insurance adjusters frequently request recorded statements from accident victims, presenting these conversations as routine processing procedures. They may suggest that providing a statement expedites your settlement or demonstrates your cooperation with their investigation.
These recorded statements serve the insurance company's interests, not yours. Adjusters use leading questions to elicit responses that minimize their liability or suggest you contributed to the accident. They may ask about your activities before the crash, your medical history, or details about the accident. Even an innocent statement can be taken out of context and used against you later. For example, if you mention feeling "fine" immediately after the accident, the insurance company might use that to pretend your injuries are relatively minor.
Social Media Monitoring and Surveillance
Insurance companies increasingly use AI surveillance tactics and social media monitoring to gather evidence that can appear to contradict injury claims. Even checking in at locations or being tagged in others' photos can provide ammunition for insurance companies seeking to reduce settlements.
Privacy settings on social media platforms do not guarantee your protection. At Alderson Law, we advise our clients to refrain from posting on social media while their case is pending. When in doubt, consult with a Greenville, SC, auto accident attorney about the details of your settlement.
Disputing Medical Necessity
Insurance companies often question the necessity of medical treatments or attempt to undermine the legitimacy of your medical team. They may argue that physical therapy sessions are excessive or that diagnostic tests are unnecessary. Some insurance companies require independent medical examinations by doctors that they hand-select and compensate. These examinations too often conclude that your injuries are less severe than your doctor believes, or that you have reached maximum medical improvement sooner than expected.
Car accident victims with preexisting conditions are especially at risk for these kinds of tactics. Adjusters frequently argue that prior injuries are responsible for current symptoms, even when an auto accident in Greenville worsened your condition.
Maintaining detailed records of your symptoms, treatments, and appointments can help counter these arguments. See your doctor soon after a crash to create as little lag time as possible between your injury and diagnosis. Waiting can open the door for an insurance agent to argue that you injured yourself in some other way, and create enough doubt to deny your claim.