No one wants to deal with insurance companies after an automobile accident. It’s common for victims to feel confused by the complex terms and rules used by these companies. You’ll need to understand the seven tactics car insurance adjusters use to deny your claim in North Carolina so you can advocate for your legal rights.
Hire an Automobile Accident Lawyer to Advocate on Your Behalf
For more than two decades, Attorney Lyndon R. Helton of Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, has helped North Carolina residents when they need it most. Before starting his firm, Attorney Helton worked as an insurance defense lawyer.
This previous work experience has helped him gain insider knowledge of how insurance companies operate and the tactics they use during automobile accident cases, giving him an edge as a car accident lawyer. He uses this knowledge to help influence his personal injury cases and to resolve insurance claims.
North Carolina Automobile Accident Laws
There were 115,009 people throughout North Carolina who were injured in an automobile accident in 2023. Even if you have insurance, medical bills can skyrocket after a car crash, depending on the seriousness of your injuries.
In 2024, the National Library of Medicine reported that 36% of households in the nation had medical debt. If your car and personal belongings were damaged in the crash, that can add to your bills. Automobile accidents can cause substantial financial losses, making it vital to seek compensation through an automobile accident claim. To start the process of recovery, you’ll need to:
- Contact your insurance company.
- Contact the insurance company of the other driver involved in the crash.
Seven Tactics Adjusters Use to Deny Claims
Insurance companies often don’t make it easy for victims to recover the compensation they deserve. You’ll need to hire an automobile accident lawyer during this time so they can help advocate on your behalf and help you avoid saying the wrong things. Common tactics used by insurance adjusters include:
- Acting like your friend. To gain your trust and make you lower your guard, the insurance adjuster may act like they’re on your side and want to help you. However, this seemingly innocent tactic is used to make you misspeak or accept less than what you deserve.
- Delaying the investigation. After a car crash, insurance companies need to conduct an internal investigation into the accident to determine fault and see how much compensation you are owed. To pressure you into giving up, the adjuster may unnecessarily delay the investigation.
- Offering a low settlement right away. After an automobile accident, it’s common for victims to desire to avoid dealing with insurance companies so they can move forward in life quickly. Frequently, victims will accept the first offer given to them by insurance companies, as they don’t realize they deserve more.
- Denying responsibility. The insurance adjusters may try to pin the blame on you. It’s important not to argue with them, but to stay calm and quiet until you can have your lawyer advocate on your behalf.
- Claiming no one was liable for the accident. The adjuster may try to claim that the accident was unavoidable, due to conditions such as poor road conditions or bad weather. However, the adjuster wasn’t there at the time of the crash and didn’t experience what you went through. Don’t let them try to sway your opinion, especially if you have evidence leaning in your favor.
- Blaming old injuries or health problems. The insurance adjuster may try to claim that the injuries you have weren’t caused by the automobile accident, but instead were due to previous health problems you’ve experienced.
- Claiming the policy doesn’t cover the type of accident you experienced. This can also include the adjuster claiming that your policy coverage has lapsed or that your vehicle was not properly insured. Don’t take what they say at face value. Be sure to request specific written proof of your policy and the coverage you pay for.
Remember, these companies are not on your side, even if it’s your own insurance company. Insurance adjusters are looking for any reason to avoid having to pay. No matter what tactic the insurance adjuster uses, you’ll need to work with a personal injury lawyer to make sure your legal rights aren’t violated.
FAQs
Can I Speak to the Insurance Companies Without My Lawyer?
You can speak to the insurance companies without your lawyer, but only give them basic facts about the crash, such as the date and time of the accident. They may try to get you to answer their questions under oath or make a recorded statement without a lawyer present. Avoid doing this, as it can be detrimental to your financial recovery.
What Evidence Do I Need for My Automobile Accident Claim?
You’ll need extensive evidence for your automobile accident claim, such as eyewitness and professional testimony, traffic camera footage of the crash, photos of the site of the crash, the cars, and your injuries, copies of the incident report and your medical records and bills, and any other proof that makes it clear you weren’t at fault.
How Do the Courts Decide Fault in an Automobile Accident Case?
In North Carolina, courts decide fault in automobile accidents by assigning everybody involved a portion of fault. This helps determine how much compensation to award the victim and who will pay it. However, if the victim is even slightly at fault, they can’t recover compensation, making it essential to have evidence leaning in your favor.
How Much Recompense Can I Recover in My Automobile Accident Case?
The recompense you can recover in your automobile accident case depends on the seriousness of your injuries and your financial losses. Victims can ask for recompense for their lost income, medical bills, damage to their car and other belongings, and emotional suffering and physical pain. No caps exist on the recompense you can request for emotional suffering and physical pain.
Work With Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, Today
When facing the complexities of state law and insurance company tactics, you need a lawyer who can protect you at every stage of legal proceedings. Get in touch with Attorney Helton of Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how he can assist you. Our firm takes on cases from Catawba, Burke, and Caldwell counties.
