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After a car accident, dealing with insurance companies can feel overwhelming—especially when you're trying to recover from injuries and manage the stress of vehicle repairs, medical bills, and lost wages. While insurance companies present themselves as helpful partners, it's important to understand that their primary goal is protecting their bottom line, not maximizing your compensation.
Knowing the right steps to take when dealing with insurers can make the difference between receiving fair compensation and settling for far less than you deserve.
1. Report the Accident Promptly
Time is critical after a car accident. Most insurance policies require prompt notification of claims, and delays can jeopardize your coverage. According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, you should call your insurance company right away to report the accident.
When reporting, provide basic factual information about when, where, and how the collision occurred. Stick to the facts without speculating about fault. Note the date and time of your call, the name of the representative, and any claim number assigned. For Minnesota's no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, you must file your claim within six months of the accident.
2. Understand What Information to Provide (and What to Withhold)
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals whose job often involves minimizing payouts. Be strategic about the information you provide. You'll need to submit documentation, including the police report, photos of vehicle damage, medical records and bills, repair estimates, and proof of lost wages.
However, be cautious about giving recorded statements without consulting an attorney first. Adjusters may use your words against you later. You're not required to provide unlimited access to your complete medical history—only records relevant to the accident. Avoid discussing the full extent of your injuries before receiving a complete medical evaluation, as some injuries don't manifest symptoms immediately.
3. Document Everything Meticulously
The strength of your insurance claim depends heavily on thorough documentation. Keep detailed records of all medical bills, receipts for medications, repair estimates, documentation of lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Keep a journal documenting your recovery process, including daily pain levels, limitations on activities, and how injuries have affected your quality of life.
Save all correspondence with insurance companies, including emails, letters, and notes from phone conversations with dates, times, and representative names. These records help track your claim's progress and serve as evidence if disputes arise.
4. Be Prepared for Lowball Settlement Offers
One of the most common tactics insurance companies use is making lowball initial settlement offers. Adjusters often start with offers substantially less than claims are actually worth, hoping accident victims will accept quickly to avoid negotiation stress.
In our experience working with car accident victims, we've seen insurance companies offer settlements that barely cover immediate medical expenses, completely ignoring future treatment needs, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other valid damages. Many victims accept these inadequate offers simply because they don't realize they're entitled to more comprehensive compensation.
Common Insurance Company Tactics to Watch For
Insurance companies may pressure you to settle quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries, claim their initial offer is "final" when they actually have room to negotiate, delay processing your claim, hoping you'll become frustrated, or argue that your injuries aren't as severe as claimed. Some insurers may also suggest you were partially at fault to reduce their liability under Minnesota's comparative negligence laws.
5. Never Accept the First Offer Without Review
Initial offers are typically starting points for negotiation, not the insurance company's best offer. Before accepting any settlement, carefully calculate your total damages, including all current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and future earning capacity, property damage, and compensation for pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
Compare the settlement offer against these total damages. If the offer falls short, and initial offers almost always do, you have the right to negotiate or reject the offer and pursue additional compensation.
6. Understand Minnesota's Insurance Laws and Your Rights
Minnesota operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means your own PIP coverage pays for immediate medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits ($20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses) regardless of who caused the accident.
However, Minnesota law allows you to step outside the no-fault system and file a liability claim against the at-fault driver if medical expenses exceed $4,000, you've been disabled for at least 60 days, you've suffered permanent injury or disfigurement, or the accident resulted in death. Understanding these legal frameworks helps you recognize when you're entitled to pursue claims beyond basic no-fault benefits.
7. Know When to Involve an Attorney
While you can handle simple claims on your own, many situations warrant professional legal representation. Consider consulting a personal injury attorney if the insurance company is making unreasonably low settlement offers, you've suffered serious injuries with significant medical expenses, the adjuster is using pressure tactics, liability is disputed, or you're having difficulty navigating Minnesota's insurance laws.
At Meshbesher & Student, P.A., we've seen countless cases where insurance companies treated unrepresented claimants very differently from those with legal representation. Having experienced legal counsel sends a clear message that you're serious about protecting your rights and won't accept an inadequate settlement.
Our attorneys handle all communications with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on recovery while we fight for maximum compensation. We thoroughly investigate your case, gather supporting evidence, accurately calculate your total damages, including future expenses, negotiate aggressively with insurance adjusters, and take cases to trial when necessary.
8. Don't Sign Anything Without Understanding the Consequences
Insurance companies may send paperwork that seems routine but has significant legal implications. Never sign a settlement release, medical authorization form, or any other document without reading it carefully. Settlement releases typically prevent you from pursuing any additional compensation related to the accident, even if you discover new injuries later. Once you sign a release and accept a settlement, your claim is permanently closed.
Protecting Your Rights and Your Recovery
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident requires knowledge, patience, and strategic thinking. Insurance adjusters are professionals trained to minimize payouts, counting on your unfamiliarity with the claims process to their advantage.
For over 100 years, Meshbesher & Student, P.A. has protected the rights of injured Minnesotans, securing millions in compensation for accident victims. We understand insurance company tactics, Minnesota insurance laws, and what it takes to build strong cases that compel fair settlements. Our experienced Minneapolis car accident attorneys will evaluate your case, handle all communications with insurance companies, and fight aggressively to secure the full compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in a car accident, don't navigate the insurance claims process alone. Call Meshbesher & Student, P.A. at (612) 200-1526 or submit a contact form for a free consultation.
