After a car accident, you’re thinking about physical injuries, damage to your vehicle, and who’s at fault. You’re dealing with a police report, the other driver, and your insurance company. You just want to feel like someone is on your side, even when you know you aren’t the at-fault driver. Unfortunately, the insurance company is the wrong entity to rely on for support.
They’re Too Nice
The chaos and stress that accompany the aftermath of a car accident are what insurance companies count on. They assign an insurance claims adjuster to your case who has one job to do: Evaluate your claim and minimize the amount of money the insurance company pays out to you. The less, the better.
Remember that the claims adjuster does not work for you, they work for your insurance provider. Their loyalty is to the insurance company, but it’s hard to keep this in mind because adjusters are usually:
- Kind and good at developing a rapport.
- Chatty and friendly.
- Quick to commiserate with your woes.
- Good at small talk.
- Really listening to you.
The goal of an insurance claims adjuster is to get you to reveal more personal information than they already know, specifically details about your accident. They’re not asking questions about what happened in your collision because they’re genuinely curious, they’re asking questions in the hopes that you’ll reveal details they can use to justify a smaller settlement or even deny your claim completely.
They’re Too Generous
No matter what check amount the insurance company offers as payout after your car accident, they will make the total seem like a very generous settlement. Here’s what you can expect to hear:
- You’ll be told you’re getting the max reimbursement possible.
- It will be insinuated that your policy doesn’t cover more than what they’re offering.
- They’ll take advantage of your despair and make an enticing offer that sounds final.
- The quick payout will be too tempting to avoid, especially if you have medical bills or car repairs hanging over you.
Any quick settlement is very likely the lowest offer you’re offered. You don’t have to accept that check or cash it. In fact, you would be wise to use great caution before accepting it.
Why does it matter if you’re getting what you agree to be a decent payout? If you say yes to an insurance company check, that’s it. Your claim is over. There is no reopening the matter. If you find out later that you have bigger injuries than you thought, if your bills are higher for your medical costs or car repairs, you’re on your own.
Avoid Insurance Company Tricks: Get Legal Help After Your Car Accident
Though you may think one of your first calls should be to your insurance company after a car crash, the smart choice is to call your lawyer first. Allow your Michigan car accident lawyer to do the negotiating on your behalf. We read the fine print, understand the ploys of insurance companies, and work diligently to get you the kind of compensation you deserve from your insurance provider.
Don’t get bullied by your insurance company. Don’t accept less than you deserve from your insurance company. Even if you’ve already filed a claim, if the matter is not closed, it’s not too late to get help from your lawyer. Contact David C. Femminineo in Macomb County to schedule your consultation and get the support you really need after your car crash.