Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Deny Claims

On top of dealing with injuries and medical bills, you may find yourself struggling to get fair payment from an insurance company after being injured in an accident. Many people are surprised to learn that insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible on injury claims.

This article will look at some common ways insurance companies try to deny or reduce claims. We'll also talk about how a Detroit personal injury lawyer can help you stand up to these tactics and get the money you deserve.

Common Tactics Used to Deny Claims

Let's look at some of the most common ways insurance companies try to avoid paying fair compensation on injury claims:

Delaying the Process

One of the first things you might notice when dealing with an insurance company is how slow everything seems to move. This is often on purpose. Insurance companies know that many people are in a tough spot after an accident.

You may have medical bills piling up or be unable to work. They hope that by dragging things out, you'll get desperate and accept a low offer just to get some money for yourdamages.

Some ways they might delay your claim include:

• Taking a long time to respond to your calls or emails


• Asking for unnecessary paperwork or documents


• Claiming they never received the information you sent


• Passing your case between different adjusters


• Saying they need more time to review your claim

These delays can be extremely frustrating. A personal injury lawyer can help keep things moving by staying on top of the insurance company and making sure they don't ignore your claim.

Disputing the Seriousness of Your Injuries

Another common tactic is to question how bad your injuries really are. The insurance company might say things like:

• Your injuries aren't as serious as you claim


• Your medical treatment wasn't necessary


• You had pre-existing conditions that are to blame for your pain


• You're exaggerating your symptoms for money

They may even hire their own doctors to examine you or review your medical records. These doctors often work for the insurance company regularly and may downplay your injuries.

A personal injury lawyer can help by making sure you have solid medical evidence to back up your claim. They can also challenge any unfair opinions from insurance company doctors.

Blaming You for the Accident

Insurance companies love to shift blame onto the person filing the claim. Even if it seems clear that someone else caused your accident, they might try to say you werenegligent. This can lead to them offering less money or denying your claim completely.

Some ways they might try to blame you include:

• Saying you were distracted or not paying attention


• Claiming you were breaking a law or rule when the accident happened


• Arguing that you could have avoided the accident if you were more careful

A personal injury lawyer knows how to counter these arguments and show that you weren't to blame for what happened.

Pressuring You to Give a Recorded Statement

Soon after your accident, the insurance company might ask you to give a recorded statement about what happened. They'll say this is just part of the process, but it's actually a trap. They're hoping you'll say something they can use against you later.

For example, if you say, "I'm feeling okay," when asked how you're doing, they might use this to claim your injuries aren't serious. Or if you're unsure about some details of the accident, they could twist your words to make it seem like you're lying.

A personal injury lawyer will advise you not to give any recorded statements without their help. They can prepare you for what to expect and make sure you don't say anything that could hurt your case.

Making a Quick, Low Settlement Offer

Sometimes, instead of denying your claim outright, the insurance company will offer you a settlement right away. This might seem like good news at first. After all, isn't a quick settlement what you want?

The problem is that these early offers are almost always much lower than what your claim is really worth. Insurance companies hope you'll take the money before you realize the full extent of your injuries or damages. Once you accept a settlement, you usually can't ask for more money later, even if you find out your injuries are worse than you thought.

A personal injury lawyer can help you understand the true value of your claim. They'll make sure you don't settle for less than you deserve.

Misrepresenting Insurance Policy Details

Insurance policies can be extremely confusing. They're full of legal language that's difficult for most people to understand. Some insurance companies take advantage of this by misrepresenting what a policy covers.

They might tell you that certain damages aren't covered when they actually are. Or they might claim that policy limits are lower than they really are. Unless you're an expert in insurance law, it's hard to know if they're telling the truth.

This is another area where a personal injury lawyer can be a major help. They deal with insurance policies all the time and know how to read the fine print. They can make sure the insurance company isn't trying to trick you about what's covered.

Using Social Media Against You

In today's digital age, insurance companies have a new tool for denying claims: social media. They might look at your Facebook, Instagram, or other social media accounts to find evidence that contradicts your claim.

For example, if you say you have aback injury but post a picture of yourself playing sports, they might use this to say you're lying about your injuries. Even innocent posts can be taken out of context and used against you.

A personal injury lawyer can advise you on how to handle social media while your claim is ongoing. They might suggest changing your privacy settings or avoiding posting altogether until your case is resolved.

Disputing the Need for Future Medical Care

If your injuries will require ongoing treatment, the insurance company might try to avoid paying for future medical care. They might argue that you've recovered enough and don't need more treatment. Or they might say that certain treatments your doctor recommends aren't necessary.

This can be scary if you know you'll need more medical care but aren't sure how you'll pay for it. A personal injury lawyer can work with your doctors to document your need for future treatment. They can also bring in medical experts to support your claim if needed.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?

As you can see, dealing with an insurance company after an accident can be challenging. They have lots of tactics to try to pay you less than you deserve. That's why having a personal injury lawyer on your side is so important. Here are some ways a lawyer can help:

Understanding the True Value of Your Claim

One of the biggest ways a personal injury lawyer can help is by figuring out how much your claim is really worth. This isn't as simple as adding up your current medical bills. A good lawyer will consider things like:

• Future medical treatment you might need


• Lost wages if you can't work


• Pain and suffering you've experienced


• How your injuries might affect your life long-term

Insurance companies often try to ignore these less obvious costs. A personal injury lawyer will make sure all your damages are accounted for.

Gathering Strong Evidence

To win your case, you need solid evidence. A personal injury lawyer knows what evidence is most important and how to get it. This might include:

• Detailed medical records


• Statements from witnesses


• Photos or videos of the accident scene


• Expert opinions from doctors or accident reconstruction specialists

Having strong evidence makes it much harder for the insurance company to deny your claim or offer a low settlement.

Handling All Communication with the Insurance Company

Once you hire a lawyer, they can take over all talks with the insurance company. This protects you from saying something that could hurt your case. It also takes a lot of stress off your shoulders, letting you focus on getting better.

Your lawyer will know how to respond to the insurance company's tactics. They won't be fooled by tricky questions or pressure to settle quickly. They'll make sure all deadlines are met and that the insurance company doesn't ignore your claim.

Negotiating a Fair Settlement

Most personal injury cases end with a settlement instead of going to court. But negotiating a fair settlement isn't easy. Insurance adjusters are trained to pay as little as possible. They might start with a very low offer and use various tactics to pressure you into accepting it.

A personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate effectively. They've dealt with insurance companies many times before and understand their tactics. They'll fight to get you the best possible settlement.

Taking Your Case to Court if Needed

While most cases settle out of court, sometimes going to trial is necessary. If the insurance company doesn't offer a fair settlement, your personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your case before a judge and jury.

The threat of going to court can often motivate insurance companies to offer better settlements. They know that juries can be sympathetic to injured people and might award more money than the insurance company wants to pay. Even if your case doesn't go to trial, having a lawyer who's ready and able to do so can give you an edge in negotiations.

Dealing with Medical Liens and Bills

If you have health insurance or received care you haven't paid for yet, there might be medical liens on your settlement. This means some of the money you get has to go to pay these medical bills. Dealing with liens can be problematic and confusing.

A personal injury lawyer can help manage these liens. They might be able to negotiate with medical providers to reduce what you owe. This can help you keep more of your settlement money.

Providing Peace of Mind

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer is the peace of mind it brings. Dealing with an injury is stressful enough without having to fight an insurance company, too. Knowing you have an attorney on your side can make the whole process much less overwhelming.

Your lawyer can answer your questions, keep you updated on your case, and help you understand what to expect. This lets you focus on what's most important: your health and recovery.

What If the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim?

Even with a lawyer's help, there's a chance the insurance company might deny your claim. If this happens, don't give up hope. A denial isn't necessarily the end of the road. Here are some steps your personal injury lawyer might take:

Appeal the Denial

Many insurance companies have an appeals process for denied claims. Your lawyer can file an appeal, providing any additional evidence or arguments to support your case. Sometimes, a different adjuster will review the appeal and might overturn the denial.

Negotiate Further

Even after a denial, your lawyer can keep negotiating with the insurance company. They might present new evidence or legal arguments that the insurance company didn't consider before. Sometimes, persistent negotiation can turn a denial into an offer.

File a Lawsuit

If the insurance company won't budge, your lawyer might advise filing a lawsuit. This doesn't mean your case will definitely go to trial. Often, filing a lawsuit can make the insurance company take your claim more seriously. They might be more willing to negotiate once they see you're prepared to go to court.

Talk to a Personal Injury as Soon as Possible

If you've been hurt in an accident and are dealing with an insurance company, it's important to protect your rights. The tactics we've discussed show how tricky it can be to get fair treatment from an insurance company on your own.

That's why it's so important to talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Many offer free consultations, so you can get advice about your case without any cost or commitment.

Remember, insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to pay as little as possible on claims. Having a personal injury lawyer evens the playing field. They can help you avoid common pitfalls, gather strong evidence, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Don't let insurance company tactics keep you from getting fair payment for your injuries. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer today to learn more about your rights and options. With the right help, you can stand up to insurance company tactics and get the compensation you need to move forward after your accident.