Insurance companies are not in the business of paying out fair claims. Their goal is to protect their bottom line, and they have specific tactics to reduce or deny your compensation. If you don’t know how they operate, you could lose money that you’re legally entitled to.
One of their main strategies is getting you to talk. An adjuster might call, act friendly, and ask for a recorded statement. Anything you say can be twisted to downplay your injuries. Even a simple “I’m okay” can be used against you later.
Never give a statement without legal advice. Before you say anything, it’s a good idea to speak with a taxi accident lawyer in your area to make sure you don’t fall into one of their traps.
They also delay claims on purpose. The longer they take, the more financially stressed you become. They know that if you’re desperate, you’re more likely to accept a lowball settlement just to get it over with.
Here are 4 ways insurance companies can try to undermine your taxi accident claim.
Delaying the process
Insurance companies stall claims on purpose. They know that the longer they delay, the more pressure you’ll feel to accept a low settlement. They do this by constantly asking for more paperwork, ignoring your calls, or claiming your case is still under review.
Another tactic is sending you to multiple doctors, stretching the process out so much that proving your injuries becomes harder. Meanwhile, your bills pile up, and frustration sets in.
These delays work in their favor, not yours. A good lawyer knows how to push back and stop them from dragging things out while you struggle.
Blaming you for the accident
Insurance companies try to reduce or deny claims by making it seem like you were at fault. They do this by twisting your words if you say something unclear, like “I didn’t see the other car,” they might argue you weren’t paying attention.
They also dig into your driving history, looking for past violations to paint you as reckless. Even where you were sitting in the taxi can be used against you if they claim not wearing a seatbelt made your injuries worse, they’ll try to pay less.
If they can shift blame onto you, they owe you less. A lawyer can make sure they don’t twist the facts to avoid responsibility.
Misinterpreting your policy
Insurance companies twist policy terms to avoid paying. They may claim certain damages aren’t covered, set lower coverage limits than you actually have, or use confusing language to make you think you’re not entitled to full compensation.
If you don’t challenge them, they get away with it. A lawyer who understands insurance policies can make sure they don’t twist the terms to pay you less than you deserve.
Offering low settlement
Insurance companies offer quick, low settlements because they know you need money fast. They want you to accept before you realize it’s not enough to cover long-term medical costs, lost income, or other damages.
Once you take their offer, you can’t ask for more even if your injuries get worse. They pressure you by saying it’s the best deal or that waiting will delay payment. But their goal is to save money, not to fully compensate you. A lawyer can calculate what your claim is actually worth and push for a fair payout.
