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After a car accident in Utah, you probably expect your insurance company—or the at-fault driver’s—to help you get back on your feet. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their primary goal is to protect their bottom line by minimizing payouts. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers trained to do just that.
So, what are they not telling you? Understanding their tactics is the first step toward protecting your rights and getting the fair compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured, don’t navigate this process alone. A Utah personal injury lawyer can level the playing field.
1. They Want You to Give a Recorded Statement Immediately
Soon after the accident, an insurance adjuster will likely call and ask for a recorded statement. They may sound friendly and claim it’s just a routine part of the process. This is a trap.
Anything you say in a recorded statement can and will be used against you. You may be in pain, on medication, or simply unsure of the details. An adjuster can twist your words to downplay your injuries or shift blame onto you. You are not legally obligated to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Politely decline and speak with an attorney first.
2. Their First Settlement Offer is Almost Always Too Low
Insurance companies often make a quick, lowball settlement offer, sometimes within days of the accident. They hope you are desperate for cash and will accept it without understanding the true value of your claim. This initial offer rarely accounts for the full extent of your damages, including:
•Future Medical Expenses: What if you need ongoing physical therapy, surgery, or long-term care?
•Lost Wages: This includes not just the time you’ve already missed from work, but also your diminished earning capacity in the future.
•Pain and Suffering: This is a significant component of a personal injury claim, and insurance companies will do everything they can to minimize it.
Accepting an early offer means you waive your right to seek any further compensation for your injuries. Never accept a settlement without consulting with a car accident attorney.
3. They May Use Your Own Medical History Against You
When you file a claim, the insurance company will ask you to sign a broad medical authorization form. This gives them access to your entire medical history, not just records related to the accident. They will scour these records for any pre-existing conditions they can use to argue that your injuries were not caused by the crash.
An experienced attorney can help you limit the scope of these authorizations to only the relevant medical records, protecting your privacy and preventing the insurance company from going on a fishing expedition.
4. They Are Watching You (On Social Media)
In today’s digital age, assume you are being watched. Insurance investigators frequently monitor claimants’ social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.) for any evidence that could contradict their injury claims. A photo of you at a family barbecue or a post about going for a walk could be used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
It is crucial to set your social media profiles to private and refrain from posting anything about your accident or your recovery.
How a Utah Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Insurance companies have a playbook designed to pay you as little as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney knows these tactics and can fight back.
At Fontenot Law, P.C., we will:
- Handle all communications with the insurance company.
- Investigate your accident and gather the evidence needed to build a strong claim.
- Work with medical experts to accurately calculate the full value of your damages.
- Negotiate for a fair settlement that covers all of your losses.
- Take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer.
Don’t let an insurance company bully you into accepting less than you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
