Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Bicycle Accident

Insurance companies exist to make money—and they do that by paying you as little as possible. Understanding their tactics helps you protect your claim.

Know Your Enemy

Insurance adjusters are trained to:

• Get you to admit fault

• Minimize your injuries

• Record statements to use against you

• Settle quickly for less than you deserve

• Find reasons to deny claims

Common Insurance Company Tactics

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The Quick Settlement Offer An early offer before you know your full damages. Never accept this.

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The Recorded Statement Request "Just a few questions for our file." Anything you say can be used to deny or reduce your claim.

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Delaying Hoping you'll get desperate and accept less.

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Requesting Unnecessary Records Fishing for pre-existing conditions or anything to blame you.

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Disputing Medical Treatment "You didn't need that MRI." Second-guessing your doctors.

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Surveillance They may watch you to catch you doing something inconsistent with your injuries.

How to Protect Yourself

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Don't Give Recorded Statements "I'm not comfortable giving a statement without consulting an attorney."

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Don't Sign Medical Authorizations They'll use broad authorizations to access your entire medical history.

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Don't Accept Quick Offers You have the statute of limitations—use the time to understand your damages.

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Document Everything Keep a file with all correspondence, bills, and notes.

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Get an Attorney Insurance companies pay represented claimants more because:

• Attorneys know case values

• Attorneys can go to trial

• Attorneys prevent mistakes

Your Own Insurance Company

Even your own insurer isn't necessarily on your side:

• They don't want to pay UM/UIM claims

• They may subrogate against you

• Consider an attorney for significant claims