Even if their insured was totally at fault in causing your car crash, the adjuster may do everything they can to deny your claim and reduce the damages they must pay you in your settlement. They may also drag out negotiations to try to get you to stop pursuing your claim or to not file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations to sue under Missouri Code §516.120 expires.
Here are other tactics the insurance adjuster may employ:
- Get you to talk. The insurance adjuster wants to get you to discuss the details of the collision and your injuries. They hope you will make incriminating statements, such as admitting you were partially at fault or minimizing your injuries, which they can use to deny or reduce your claim.
- Obtain your recorded statement. You should not be surprised if the insurance adjuster wants you to give a recorded statement. Say no to this request. Even if you have nothing to hide, you could inadvertently say something that hurts your claim when responding to their confusing or tricky questions.
- Convince you to sign a medical release. Another tactic the adjuster could employ is to ask you to sign a medical release. Unfortunately, this would give them access to all your private medical records, where they can search for information to argue your injuries aren't very serious or were caused by another incident.
- Offer a quick settlement. If the insurance adjuster knows you have a strong claim, they may offer you a settlement soon after your accident, which they know is far less than the compensation to which you are entitled. You should never accept a settlement offer without consulting a car accident lawyer first.
How Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Fight the Insurance Adjuster’s Unfair Tactics
If you receive a call from an insurance adjuster, you should politely decline to discuss your claim with them and inform them that you will have your attorney contact them. Your next step should be to contact Bollwerk & Associates, LLC, and schedule your free initial consultation. Here are ways our legal team can assist you in getting the settlement you deserve:
- Take over communications with the insurance company. Our attorneys will take over all communications with the insurance adjuster so they don't take advantage of you.
- Help you take the proper steps. We will advise you on what to do after a car accident to build a winning case and what mistakes to avoid.
- Collect the evidence you need to prove your case. Our lawyers will determine your accident's cause and collect the evidence you need to prove it. We will also obtain the necessary documents and other evidence needed to prove the severity of your injuries, the treatments required, and the damages you can seek in your settlement.
- Negotiate your settlement. With over three decades of experience helping car accident victims, attorney Jill Bollwerk understands the tactics the insurance adjuster may employ and has strategies to defeat them. She will fight hard to get you the damages you need to recover from your injuries and get your life back on track.
- Sue the negligent driver. If the insurance company refuses to treat you fairly, Jill and her legal team will file a lawsuit and litigate your claim. We will fight the insurance company like a big firm while providing you with the personal services our small firm offers all our clients.
Let us help you protect your rights as you face the stress of dealing with insurance adjusters in your car accident claim.
