After a car accident, you expect your insurance company to be on your side. After all, you pay your premiums for coverage and support when you need it most. Unfortunately, insurance companies in Lansing and across Michigan are not in the business of paying fair settlements. Their priority is to protect their bottom line, which means offering you as little money as possible—even if your claim is valid and you’ve been a lifelong customer. Recovering damages after a Lansing car accident can quickly become an uphill battle if you don’t understand how insurers operate.
From delaying payments to downplaying injuries and shifting blame, insurers use a variety of tactics to reduce payouts to car accident victims. If you don’t know how to spot these strategies, you could end up accepting far less than you deserve—or even worse, having your claim denied entirely.
The Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Reduce Your Payout
Insurance companies have one goal after a car accident: to pay you as little as possible. Even if you have a legitimate claim, they will use deceptive tactics to reduce or deny your compensation. Understanding these strategies can help you avoid falling into their traps.
| Insurance Tactic | How It Works | How to Protect Yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Delaying the Claim | The insurer drags out the process, hoping you'll get desperate and accept a lower offer. | Follow up regularly, document all communication, and consult a lawyer if delays continue. |
| Quick Lowball Offers | They offer a fast but unfairly low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. | Never accept the first offer; have a lawyer review it before signing anything. |
| Blaming You for the Accident | They try to assign partial fault to reduce your payout. | Stick to the facts, avoid admitting fault, and let a lawyer challenge unfair claims. |
| Downplaying Your Injuries | The adjuster argues that your injuries aren’t serious or were pre-existing. | Seek medical attention immediately and keep records of all treatments and diagnoses. |
| Using Your Words Against You | Adjusters record statements to twist your words and minimize your claim. | Decline recorded statements and never speculate about fault or injuries. |
| Monitoring Social Media | They look for posts that suggest you're not as injured as you claim. | Avoid posting about your accident or injuries on social media. |
Delay Tactics to Wear You Down
One of the most common tactics auto insurers use is delaying your claim. They know that accident victims often face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and financial stress, so they drag out the process hoping you’ll accept a lower settlement out of desperation.
- They may repeatedly request additional documentation, even when unnecessary.
- They might claim your adjuster is “reviewing the case” or is difficult to reach.
- They can slow-walk negotiations, leaving you in financial limbo for months.
Quick Lowball Settlement Offers
Insurance companies often rush to offer a settlement soon after an accident before you fully understand your injuries or expenses. You haven’t even had the chance to see what the doctor recommends for treatment. This initial offer is usually far below what you actually deserve and often doesn’t cover future medical costs, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
- They may frame the offer as “the best you’ll get.”
- They know once you accept a settlement, you cannot ask for more money later.
- They count on victims needing fast cash and agreeing to a low amount.
Blaming You for the Accident (Comparative Fault Tricks)
Michigan follows comparative negligence laws, meaning that if you’re found partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Motorcyclists are often unfairly blamed for crashes. If this happened to you, a Lansing motorcycle accident lawyer can help prove fault. Insurance adjusters know this and will often:
- Try to twist your statements to make it seem like you admitted fault.
- Use witness statements or police reports selectively to place more blame on you.
- Claim you were speeding, distracted, or violating traffic laws even if there’s no proof.
Downplaying Your Injuries
Insurance companies often downplay the severity of your injuries to justify a lower settlement. They may:
- Argue that your injuries are pre-existing or unrelated to the accident.
- Claim that you didn’t seek medical treatment quickly enough, suggesting your injuries aren’t serious.
- Use their own “independent” medical examiners to say you don’t need further treatment.
Using Your Own Words Against You
Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can be twisted to minimize your claim. Even a simple, well-intentioned statement like “I feel fine” can be used against you later. This is why it’s important to never give a recorded statement or discuss injuries until you speak with a Lansing car accident lawyer. Adjusters often:
- Record calls and take statements out of context.
- Ask leading questions to get you to say something that weakens your claim.
- Use social media posts against you, claiming you’re not as injured as you say.
How to Protect Yourself from Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies use delays, lowball offers, and blame-shifting to minimize payouts, often hoping that accident victims will accept less than they deserve. They may pressure you to settle quickly or make the claims process so frustrating that you give up. For example, truck accident claims are even more complex and insurance companies fight hard to reduce these payouts. A Lansing truck accident lawyer can help maximize your claim. Understanding their tactics and taking the right steps can help you protect yourself and maximize your compensation.
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if you feel fine, hidden injuries can appear later. Delaying treatment gives insurers an excuse to argue your injuries aren’t serious.
- Document everything – Take photos of vehicle damage, injuries, and road conditions. Get witness contact information and keep all medical and accident-related records.
- Be cautious when speaking to insurers – Stick to basic facts, avoid admitting fault, and never agree to a recorded statement without legal advice.
- Don’t accept the first settlement offer – Early offers are often too low and may not cover long-term expenses. Have an attorney review any offer before accepting.
- Limit social media activity – Insurance companies monitor posts for anything they can use to downplay your injuries or claim you’re not as hurt as you say.
- Consult a Lansing car accident lawyer – A lawyer can handle negotiations, push back against unfair tactics, and ensure you receive full compensation.
When to Contact a Lansing Car Accident Lawyer
While not every car accident requires legal representation, insurance companies don’t make it easy for victims to get fair compensation. If you’ve been injured, had your claim denied, or received a low settlement offer, it’s time to speak with a lawyer. You should contact a car accident lawyer if:
- The insurance company delays, denies, or undervalues your claim.
- You suffered serious injuries that require long-term treatment.
- The insurer is trying to blame you for the accident.
- The other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
- You’re unsure if a settlement offer is fair.
Contact a Lansing Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Dealing with an insurance company after a car accident can be frustrating, especially when they try to lowball your settlement or deny your claim altogether. You shouldn’t have to fight for fair compensation on your own. A Lansing car accident lawyer can handle the insurance negotiations, protect your rights, and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you! Speak with an experienced lawyer today by calling (517) 347-6900.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How Lansing Insurance Companies Try to Lowball Car Accident Victims
Why do insurance companies try to lowball car accident victims?
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and one of the easiest ways to increase profits is by paying accident victims as little as possible. They use strategies like delaying claims, offering quick but low settlements, disputing medical expenses, and even blaming the victim to minimize their payouts.
How can I tell if the insurance company is offering a lowball settlement?
A low settlement offer often comes quickly after the accident, before you know the full extent of your injuries or medical costs. If the amount doesn’t cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, or if the adjuster pressures you to accept it without consulting an attorney, it’s likely a lowball offer.
What tricks do insurance companies use to reduce payouts?
Insurance adjusters often delay claims to wear victims down, blame the injured person to reduce liability, or downplay injuries by arguing they are pre-existing. Some insurers request recorded statements to twist your words or monitor social media to find anything that could be used to dispute your claim.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
No. Adjusters are trained to ask leading questions that can be used against you later. Even an innocent comment like "I feel fine" can be misinterpreted to suggest your injuries aren’t serious. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and it’s best to consult a lawyer before speaking in detail with the insurer.
What if the insurance company denies my claim?
A denial doesn’t necessarily mean your case is over. Insurance companies frequently deny valid claims to see if victims will give up. You have the right to challenge the decision, submit additional evidence, or take legal action. A car accident lawyer can handle the appeals process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How can a Lansing car accident lawyer help me get a fair settlement?
An experienced attorney knows how to negotiate with insurance companies and won’t let them take advantage of you. A lawyer can gather evidence, calculate the full value of your claim, and push back against lowball offers. If the insurer refuses to settle fairly, your attorney can take the case to court to fight for the compensation you need.
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