Truck accidents can be catastrophic, leaving victims with severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burden. Victims often turn to their insurance companies for support and compensation.
Unfortunately, insurance companies may not always act in the best interest of truck accident victims. In such situations, you should hire a skilled truck accident attorney to help you navigate the complicated process of insurance claims and ensure that you receive fair compensation.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the actions insurance companies take to lowball truck accident victims.
Delay Tactics
One of the most common strategies insurance companies use to lowball victims is delay tactics. They drag out the claims process, hoping victims will become frustrated and accept a lower settlement out of desperation. Delay tactics may include requesting unnecessary documentation, scheduling multiple inspections, or simply stalling communication.
Disputing Liability
The National Safety Council reported that in 2022, there were 5,936 fatalities from large-truck collisions. The mortality toll rose by 2% in 2021 and by 49% over the previous ten years.
Insurance companies may attempt to shift blame onto the victim or other parties involved in the accident to minimize their financial responsibility. They may argue that the victim was partially at fault for the accident or that another party bears primary responsibility. By disputing liability, insurers aim to reduce the amount they must pay in settlements.
Underestimating Damages
Another tactic insurance companies employ is to underestimate the extent of the victim’s damages. This may involve undervaluing medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Adjusters may also downplay the severity of injuries or argue that certain treatments or rehabilitation efforts are unnecessary.
Offering Quick Settlements
In some cases, insurance companies may offer quick settlement offers shortly after the accident, before the full extent of the victim’s injuries and damages is known. These initial offers are often far below what the victim is entitled to and are designed to tempt them into accepting a smaller payout to expedite the process.
Pressuring Victims
Insurance adjusters are trained to use various tactics to pressure victims into accepting lowball settlement offers. They may employ scare tactics, such as warning that the victim will receive nothing if they pursue legal action or implying their claim is not as strong as they believe. Adjusters may also attempt to exploit the victim’s financial vulnerability or emotional distress to coerce them into accepting less than they deserve.
Misrepresenting Policy Coverage
Insurance policies can be complex documents, and victims may not fully understand the extent of their coverage or the options available. Some insurance companies take advantage of this by intentionally misrepresenting policy coverage or failing to disclose relevant information. Victims may unknowingly settle for less than they are entitled to because they are unaware of their rights under their policy.
Using In-House Legal Counsel
Insurance companies often have teams of in-house lawyers whose primary goal is to protect the company’s interests and minimize payouts. These legal professionals may employ aggressive tactics to intimidate victims or discourage them from seeking legal representation.
By leveraging their legal resources, insurance companies aim to gain an advantage in negotiations and compel victims to accept inadequate settlements.
Implications
The actions of insurance companies can have profound consequences. Victims may be left struggling to cover medical bills, lost income, and other expenses resulting from the accident.
Furthermore, accepting a lowball settlement can deprive victims of the financial resources they need to recover and move forward with their lives fully. Additionally, the prevalence of lowballing undermines trust in the insurance industry and perpetuates a cycle of injustice for accident victims.
Final Thoughts
Lowballing is a reprehensible practice that prioritizes profits over the well-being of accident victims. Insurance companies employ various tactics to minimize payouts and avoid their obligations to policyholders.
By understanding these tactics and seeking legal guidance when necessary, victims can better protect their rights and pursue fair compensation for their injuries and losses.
Ultimately, holding insurance companies accountable for their actions is essential to ensuring that victims receive the support and justice they deserve in the aftermath of a truck accident.
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