If you’ve been injured in an auto crash, you expect your insurance company—or the at-fault driver’s insurer—to handle your claim fairly and provide the compensation you deserve. Unfortunately, many auto insurance companies prioritize their bottom line over your well-being. They employ aggressive tactics to pressure crash victims into accepting lowball settlements, minimizing injuries, and signing away their legal rights before they fully understand the extent of their damages.

Here are some of the most common strategies insurance companies use to take advantage of crash victims:

1. Quick, Lowball Settlement Offers

One of the most common tactics is offering a settlement check almost immediately after a crash. While this may seem like a helpful and efficient process, these early offers are rarely enough to cover the full scope of your medical bills, lost wages, ongoing treatment, and pain and suffering. Insurers hope victims will accept the money before they realize how much their injuries will truly cost.

2. Minimizing Injuries

Insurance adjusters are trained to downplay the severity of injuries in order to justify lower payouts. They might argue that your injuries are pre-existing, that you’re exaggerating your pain, or that your treatment is unnecessary. They may also encourage you to avoid seeking medical attention or claim that your injuries should heal quickly, even when medical professionals suggest otherwise.

3. Requesting Recorded Statements

Shortly after a crash, an insurance adjuster may contact you and request a recorded statement about the incident. While this might seem like a routine step, anything you say can and will be used against you. Adjusters are skilled at asking misleading or confusing questions designed to get you to admit fault or downplay your injuries. It’s always best to consult with an attorney before providing any statements to an insurance company.

4. Discouraging You from Hiring an Attorney

Insurance companies know that injury victims who hire lawyers receive significantly higher settlements than those who negotiate on their own. As a result, adjusters often try to convince victims that hiring an attorney is unnecessary or that doing so will delay the claims process. They may even suggest that legal fees will take too much of the settlement, when in reality, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help maximize your compensation far beyond what the insurer initially offers.

5. Delaying Claims to Create Financial Pressure

Another common strategy is delaying the claims process. Many crash victims face mounting medical bills, lost income, and other financial stressors. Insurance companies use these pressures to their advantage, hoping victims will accept a lower settlement just to relieve the immediate financial burden.

6. Blaming the Victim

Adjusters may try to shift some or all of the blame onto the crash victim. By doing so, they can justify reducing or denying compensation. They might argue that you were partially at fault or that you failed to mitigate your injuries by not seeking immediate medical attention.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

If you’ve been injured in an auto crash, it’s critical to take the following steps to protect your rights:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention – A doctor can document your injuries and create a medical record that supports your claim.
• Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer – Before agreeing to any settlement, consult with an attorney to ensure you’re getting fair compensation.
• Do Not Provide a Recorded Statement Without Legal Counsel – Insurance adjusters can use your words against you, so it’s best to have legal guidance before making any statements.
• Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer – An experienced attorney can handle negotiations, gather evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
• Be Cautious About Insurance Company Tactics – Recognizing these common strategies can help you avoid being manipulated into settling for less than you deserve.

Conclusion

Auto insurance companies are not on your side after a crash. Their goal is to settle claims quickly and cheaply, often at your expense. If you’ve been injured in an auto crash, don’t let an insurance adjuster pressure you into making decisions that could cost you in the long run. Consulting with a skilled personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in securing the compensation you need to recover fully and move forward with your life.