Insurance Company Tactics to Watch for After a Wreck

If you have suffered injuries in an NYC accident, you can seek compensatory damages. New York is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents. Your first option is to file a claim under your no-fault insurance. A car accident lawyer can advise you on the nature and amount of damages available against your claim.

In most NYC car crashes, you have to file a claim with an insurance company. If you file under your insurance, you work with your insurer regardless of which party’s negligence caused the crash. If the claim exceeds the no-fault threshold, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver. This claim is filed with the insurance company of the negligent party.

Insurers use different tactics to try and pay you far less than what your claim is worth. Here is a look at some common tactics insurance companies use in car crash claims.

Unnecessary Delays

The insurance company assigns your claim to an adjuster. You can contact the adjuster over the phone or visit in person. However, the adjuster can use many tactics to delay the resolution of your claim. He may not receive your calls, ask you to provide different pieces of documentation every time you contact them, or pass your claim to another adjuster.

Delays in receiving fair compensation when medical bills are piling up can make you desperate. And that is what the insurance company wants. NY laws allow you to file an insurance bad faith claim when the insurer is unfairly and unnecessarily delaying a claim.

Quick and Low Settlement

Many companies lure car crash claimants into a quick, but low, settlement offer. The adjuster may reach out to you after you file the claim and offer a certain amount of money. If your claim is worth millions, this offer may only be a few thousand or tens of thousands of dollars.

It may seem great initially, but your losses are unclear until you know the full extent of your injuries. It is always a good idea not to accept a quick offer from the insurer. You should wait until you have your complete medical prognosis and bills for other damages in hand.

Pre-Existing Medical Condition

This is a common excuse used by adjusters to play down your crash-related injuries. The insurance agent may argue that you had a pre-existing medical condition that contributed to your injury. 

When the company uses this tactic, you will need a medical expert’s testimony and other evidence to prove that your accident injuries and your pre-existing medical issues are separate.

Recorded Statement

You may be asked to submit a recorded statement after you file a claim. You must avoid doing so as the insurer can use this statement against you.

You are never required to speak with the other party’s insurance company!

Why Hire a New York Car Accident Lawyer?

Car crash claims can become complicated when the insurance companies use underhand tactics. These tactics are meant to put limitations on your claim and offer you far less than you deserve.

Here at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, we work on NY area car crash cases to secure the maximum settlement amount for the victims. If you have been injured in a New York accident, we can help you.

Call us today at 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) to discuss your case with our lawyers. You can also fill out our contact form to get in touch.