Insurance companies prey on vulnerable Texans. After a wreck, they often swoop in and try to get you to settle on the cheap by talking to you over the phone, pushing you to release your claim before you even know the full extent of your damages and medical costs.
They do this because in most situations they aren’t required to put their offer in writing—which means they can use seemingly appealing but misleading vague terms. They pressure you into saying “yes” on a recorded call, locking you into a lowball settlement that benefits them, not you.
If you or a loved one have been in a wreck, a Carrollton car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and make sure you don’t fall victim to these deceptive tactics.
How This Insurance Scam Plays Out in Real Life
Meet Sarah. She was driving home from work when another driver ran a red light and crashed into her car. She felt sore but thought it was just muscle strain. Her car was totaled, and she was worried about getting to work the next day.
The next morning, she got a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They told her:
“We want to help you get back on your feet quickly.”
“We can offer you $2,000 today for your car and $1,000 for qualifying medical treatment for bodily injuries received within 30 days of the collision —just say yes, and we’ll send a check.”
“If you get a lawyer involved, it will just slow things down.”
Sarah was overwhelmed. She didn’t know how much her medical bills would be, but she needed money fast, so she agreed. They recorded her saying yes, and that was it—her claim was settled.
A week later, Sarah’s pain got worse. She went to the doctor and found out she had a herniated disc in her lower back that would require surgery. The cost? Over $50,000. Treatment and rehabilitation would take months, if not longer.
But when she tried to submit her medical bills for the $1,000 and reopen her claim, the insurance company said, “Sorry, you already settled,” and “Oh, by the way, the treatment you received doesn’t qualify for the $1,000.”
Psychological Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Trap You
Insurance companies know exactly what they’re doing. They’ve trained their adjusters to use specific psychological tactics to push you to settle before you realize how much money your claim is actually worth.
Here’s how they manipulate you:
They Call When You’re Vulnerable
They Make It Sound Like They’re Helping You
They Pressure You to Decide Immediately
They Discourage You from Getting a Personal Injury Lawyer
They Record Your Verbal Agreement to Lock You In
How to Protect Yourself from Insurance Scams in Texas
If you’ve been in a wreck, follow these five steps to avoid getting tricked into a lowball settlement:
- Don’t answer calls from the other driver’s insurance company. Let them leave a message. Then, talk to a lawyer before calling back.
- Never accept an offer over the phone. Tell them, “I will only consider written offers.” If they refuse, that’s a red flag.
- Seek medical treatment first. Some injuries are obvious right away, while others may not appear until days or even weeks after a wreck. You might feel fine at first, but conditions like whiplash, internal injuries, or even spinal damage can take time to show symptoms. Settling too soon could leave you with unpaid medical bills and uncompensated noneconomic damages like pain, suffering, impairment of daily activities, disfigurement, and more.
- Consult a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement. A lawyer can review your case, spot and avoid the insurance company’s dirty tricks, negotiate for you, and fight for the full amount you deserve.
- Don’t feel rushed. If the insurance company is pressuring you to decide fast, it’s because they know your claim is worth more.
Think the Insurance Company is Lowballing You? We Can Help.
At The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare, we’ve seen these tricks before—and we know how to fight back. Our firm has some of the best personal injury lawyers in Texas.
We’ve helped our clients recover settlements worth many, many times more than what the insurance company originally offered. Don’t let them take advantage of you.
We’ll handle the insurance company so you can focus on healing. Our experienced car and truck accident attorneys in Carrollton and Dallas are here to help.
Call us today for a free consultation
Don’t settle for less than you deserve—let’s get you the justice you’re owed.
