When you’ve been in a car accident, you expect your insurance company to help you recover financially. Unfortunately, many victims discover that insurance companies use underhanded tactics to minimize payouts.
Hiring a car accident lawyer in Denver can help level the playing field if you’re dealing with frustrating delays or denied claims.
Here, we discuss six shocking ways car insurance companies try to pay you less and how a Denver car accident attorney can protect your rights.
1. Offering a Lowball Settlement Immediately After the Accident
Insurance companies know injured drivers often feel overwhelmed and desperate after an accident. They might quickly offer a low settlement, hoping victims will accept it without realizing the true value of their claim.
Colorado law requires insurance companies to act in good faith when handling claims, but many still engage in bad-faith practices. If you receive a suspiciously low offer, contacting an auto accident lawyer in Denver, Colorado, can help you assess whether it’s fair.
2. Disputing Liability to Avoid Paying Claims
One of the most common tactics is for insurers to claim that their policyholder wasn’t at fault, even if the evidence says otherwise. Under Colorado’s modified comparative fault rule (C.R.S. § 13-21-111), your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If insurers can shift more blame onto you, they pay less.
A Denver car wreck attorney can gather critical evidence—such as witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reports—to prove liability and counter unfair blame.
3. Delaying Payments to Pressure You
Colorado law requires insurers to process claims within a reasonable timeframe. Under C.R.S. § 10-3-1115, an insurance company must not unreasonably delay or deny payments without a valid reason. However, insurers often stall payments, knowing that financial pressure may force accident victims into accepting smaller settlements.
If you experience unreasonable delays, a top-rated car accident lawyer in Denver can take legal action to demand timely compensation.
4. Arguing That Your Injuries Are Pre-Existing
Insurance adjusters are trained to dig into medical histories to argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident. They might claim you have pre-existing conditions to reduce your compensation. Colorado law allows accident victims to recover damages even if they had pre-existing injuries as long as the accident aggravated those injuries.
An injury attorney in Denver can work with medical experts to build a solid case showing how the accident directly impacted your health, preventing insurers from using this tactic.
5. Using Surveillance to Undermine Your Claim
In some cases, insurance companies may use surveillance to catch you performing daily activities and argue that you aren’t as injured as you claim. This deceptive tactic aims to discredit your case and reduce your payout.
For example, if you’re spotted lifting groceries, the insurer might allege that your back injury isn’t serious. A skilled Colorado accident lawyer can counter these claims by showing that limited activity doesn’t mean you’re fully recovered.
6. Offering to Cover Only Medical Bills and Ignoring Other Damages
Insurance companies often try to limit settlements to only cover medical expenses, ignoring other critical damages like lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Colorado law allows victims to recover economic and non-economic damages under C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5.
With the help of a car accident attorney near me, you can ensure that all aspects of your loss are included in the claim, maximizing your compensation.
How a Denver Car Accident Attorney Can Help
If you face these or other unfair tactics, a Denver car wreck attorney can guide you through the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected. They will negotiate with insurers, gather evidence, and advocate for the full compensation you deserve.
Statistics: Why Insurance Claims in Colorado Can Be Challenging
For several reasons, the process can be challenging when dealing with insurance adjusters. Some of these include:
- Colorado’s accident rate is rising. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), there were over 121,000 car accidents in the state in 2022.
- Uninsured drivers are a growing problem. Approximately 16.3% of drivers in Colorado are uninsured, making it harder for accident victims to receive compensation.
Given these challenges, working with a top-rated car accident lawyer in Denver is essential for navigating complex claims.
Contact Our Top-Rated Car Accident Attorney in Denver Today
Insurance companies are notorious for using sneaky tactics to minimize payouts after accidents. Understanding these strategies is your first line of defense. However, having an experienced auto accident lawyer on your side in Denver, Colorado, ensures you aren’t taken advantage of during this stressful time.
Whether you need help negotiating a settlement or filing a lawsuit, an experienced car accident attorney near me can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Don’t let the insurance company dictate your financial future—speak with an injury attorney in Denver today to protect your rights and secure the compensation you need to move forward.
