Insurance Company Tactics in Accident Claims
If you or a loved one were in an accident, Thompson Law can help. After a wreck, the last thing you need is to deal with bad faith practices, bullying, or pressure to accept a lowball offer. Crashes are common in Texas, and our team has years of experience dealing with insurance company tactics in accident claims. We know how to fight back against common tactics like delaying claims, denying liability without investigating, denying due to lack of evidence, pressuring victims because of shared fault, and contacting victims right away with a lowball offer.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (2021):
- 239,539 people were injured in automobile crashes
- 19,448 people sustained severe injuries
- There were no deathless days on Texas roadways
- The fatality rate increased by 4.17% over 2020
- One reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds
Delaying the Claims Process
Sometimes, you don’t have to deny a claim to make it disappear – you just have to delay it so long that people give up. Often, car accident victims are too exhausted and frustrated to push back against delays this is one of the most common insurance company tactics. After all, they’re dealing with medical bills, painful injuries, lost wages, and more. Insurance companies delay in hopes that people will become desperate and accept a much lower offer than they deserve.
Denying Without Investigating
Auto insurance companies are supposed to act in good faith. That means they should accept and review claims ethically and responsibly. But the reason you’ve heard of “bad faith” tactics is that, unfortunately, they aren’t rare. Another of the insurance company tactics is denying liability without conducting a proper investigation. Insurance companies can get away with this because their reasons often sound legitimate, even though they aren’t.
Denying Due to Lack of Evidence
Insurance Company Tactics in Accident Claims can be frustrating and intimidating for car accident victims. Just because an adjuster claims you haven’t produced “enough evidence” doesn’t make it accurate. Denying a claim due to lack of evidence is a common bad-faith tactic for one simple reason: it’s effective. Most people take adjusters at their word when they hand down a verdict. But an expert personal injury attorney can help you appeal denials and pursue more formal legal action.
Pressuring You Because of Shared Fault
If you were partially liable in your auto accident, don’t panic. Just because you share fault doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to compensation. In Texas, you can recover compensation if your responsibility is not greater than the other party. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer is essential when navigating shared fault because this is another of the insurance company tactics and their adjusters will try and use it to their advantage.
Contacting You Right Away With an Offer
If an insurance company contacts you right after your crash with an offer, beware. They’re likely acting fast because they want to make your claim go away as quickly as possible for as little as possible. Another factor could be that they know you have a strong case and are eager to distract you with the promise of a payout, even though it’s absurdly tiny.
Why Insurance Companies Don’t Want Us Involved
They’ll never admit it, but adjusters don’t want you to seek legal representation. That’s because they know that a skilled personal injury attorney is wise to the insurance company tactics and strategies. At Thompson Law, we advocate for victims so they aren’t victimized a second time by unfair insurance company practices.
Some insurance companies will go so far as to tell accident victims that their claim will be less if they have a lawyer. Unfortunately, this is just one more example of an adjuster applying pressure to suit the insurance company’s best interests. In reality, hiring a dedicated personal injury lawyer increases the odds of receiving a higher payout.
Hire an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney
Insurance companies are in it for the money, and that’s bad news for auto accident victims. Fortunately, our lawyers are well-versed in every insurance company tactics imaginable. From lowball offers to manipulate victim statements to excessive delays, we’ve seen it all.
Call Thompson Law today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options. A personal injury lawyer can help you deal with adjusters, negotiate a fair settlement, and understand your legal rights. We never collect compensation until you do, and your consultation is FREE.
Personal Injury Lawyer FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the average personal injury settlement in Texas?
Personal injury settlements vary greatly, and your compensation depends on your injuries, the nature of the accident, and total damages. The average auto liability claim is around $3,231, and the average bodily injury claim is approximately $15,433. A personal injury attorney can help you better understand your case’s worth.
How long does a personal injury lawsuit take in Texas?
No two cases are alike, and the length of time varies, just like the settlement amount. One important thing to keep in mind is the statute of limitations. In Texas, you have two years to file a personal injury claim. While that might sound like a long time, it’s best to hire an experienced lawyer who can ensure you file correctly and avoid the insurance company tactics to delay the process. The average personal injury lawsuit takes anywhere from less than a year to around two years.
Do I really need a lawyer for a personal injury lawsuit?
Yes. A car accident lawyer has extensive experience with insurance company tactics and personal injury law. When you’re recovering from a crash, the last thing you want to do is deal with adjusters trying to give you a lowball offer or deny your claim outright.
What are some common causes of car accidents in Texas?
Common causes of car accidents in Texas include drunk driving, texting or talking while driving, speeding, tailgating, and aggressive driving or road rage. While many drivers are prone to multitask, even a few seconds of distraction can cause a severe or fatal crash.
What is a large personal injury settlement?
On average, a personal injury lawsuit might be anywhere between $3,000 and $75,000. But as you can see from the statistics above, Thompson Law has won cases that settled for much more.