Tag: insurance claim

Insurance Company Tricks Used to Fool Car Accident Victims

Insurance Company Tricks Used to Fool Car Accident Victims

After a car accident, you file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. After that, an adjuster, either internal or external, investigates the details. The insurance agent will gather information about the scene, damages, weather, injuries, and any unusual circumstances to determine a settlement amount. One thing that many injury victims forget is that while adjusters may seem friendly and concerned, their priority is the insurance company’s bottom line, not your well-being. With that in mind, the Las Vegas car crash lawyers at The Paul Powell Law firm discuss various insurance company tricks used to minimize your claim payout.

9 Insurance Company Tricks Adjusters May Use Against You

While some people might believe that insurance companies are there to simply help them after an accident, their primary goal is profit, just like any other business. This can lead to what’s known as insurance company tricks–deceptive tactics adjusters use to minimize your settlement. Here are nine of the most common ones to be aware of:

Advising Against Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

While it may seem convenient to trust your insurance company to resolve a car accident claim on your behalf, it is much wiser to seek out and speak to an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer first. A knowledgeable injury attorney can help you with numerous issues of your injury claim, as well as recommend good doctors to treat your injuries and represent your best interests. Insurance agents, on the other hand, typically look for the fastest solution that costs their company the least amount of money. Their need to maximize profits is why many of them advise against working with an injury attorney.

Asking for a Recorded Statement

Insurance adjusters may reach out to you quickly because they want to obtain recorded statements before you’ve had time to organize your thoughts. They hope that you’re foggy about the details of the accident and may use your own statements to lower your settlement payout. Their goals include getting you to admit some level of fault and downplay the extent of your injuries. Some insurance agents even attempt to confuse people about the facts and details of the accident. A competent Nevada injury attorney can protect you from these types of insurance agents.

Pretending to Be On Your Side

Claims adjusters, and other insurance personnel, may indicate that they are doing everything possible to settle the claim and get you paid as much as possible as soon as possible. Their real goal may be to keep you appeased and distracted long enough to allow the Nevada statute of limitations to expire on the claim.

Related: When Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?

Offering Quick Settlements


Insurance companies may try to take advantage of you by offering an on-the-spot settlement. In most cases, the amount of money is smaller than a fair settlement. Additionally, these “quickie settlements” usually require you to sign a full release that absolves the insurance company from other damages you may be entitled to. This most often happens at the scenes of accidents, while the victims are not yet aware of the full extent of damages or injuries and are willing to settle for less compensation without realizing it.

Delaying Payment of a Claim


Insurance companies may delay payment of a claim, hoping that you will settle for anything, just to gain the quickest payment possible to cover lost wages and medical expenses. This is part of a set of insurance company tricks known as “delay, deny, defend” designed to pressure injury victims into accepting a payout that’s a fraction of what they really deserve.

Conducting Surveillance to Minimize Your Injuries

The insurance company may hire private investigators to record video or take photographs of injury victims to disprove the severity of their injuries or damages claimed. These photographs and videos may be misleading, showing you under the best possible circumstances and downplaying the day-to-day struggles of your injuries.

Using Social Media Against You

Not only will car insurance companies hire private investigators to conduct surveillance, they will also follow accident victims on social media sites looking for information and posts to challenge their claims. Insurance companies want to see if you talk about the accident on social media, possibly suggesting that you have some degree of liability or disclose negative information. The insurance company wants to see if you are engaging in activities that you should not be able to do, given the extent of your injuries.

Misrepresentation of an Insurance Policy’s Coverage

Claims adjusters sometimes misrepresent the amount of insurance available for a claim. There is often more coverage than they lead you to believe. They are not the only experts when it comes to your vehicle’s insurance policy. Working with an accomplished Las Vegas injury lawyer can help make sure that you get every dollar owed to you by the insurance company.

Denying Claim Payment


An insurance company may deny or limit their liability for paying a claim by saying the accident was your fault or partially your fault. They may do this knowing that you had no part in causing the accident. This is part of the aforementioned “delay, deny, defend” tactics. These insurance company tricks are aimed to pressure you while you’re suffering from an injury, hoping that you’ll cave in and accept their lowball offer. Don’t let the insurance company bully you. Let The Paul Powell Law Firm fight back on your behalf today.

Contact a Top Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Today

Dealing with insurance companies can be a stressful and complicated process, especially when you believe they employ insurance company tricks to cheat you out of money that’s rightfully yours. The car crash attorneys at The Paul Powell Law Firm have decades of experience fighting against these tactics and have a proven track record for winning top compensation for our clients.

Furthermore, our firm will never take more than you receive from your case. This is documented with the State Bar of Nevada. When we say “More Lawyer. Less Fee.” we genuinely meant it and are proud to put it in writing.

Free Case Evaluation

The Paul Powell Law Firm understands that you have many choices for a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer and hopes that you’ll consider us for your personal injury claim. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss your injury claim and to schedule your free consultation. You can reach us by phone at (702) 728-5500, clicking the contact button above, or visiting our Las Vegas office.

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
How Important Is It to Hire Lawyers that Understand Medicine?

How Important Is It to Hire Lawyers that Understand Medicine?

Just like you wouldn’t see a cardiologist for a sore throat, you shouldn’t choose a lawyer unfamiliar with medical complexities for your personal injury case. These types of cases often involve determining the extent of both temporary and permanent injuries. At The Paul Powell Law Firm, our legal team consists of lawyers that understand medicine, medical terminology, standard treatments, and the local medical landscape. 

Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers also have a vetted network of experts within the medical field who can provide further precedence to a client’s injury claim. Furthermore, we’ve encountered virtually every type of medical situation, including rare and unusual diagnoses, after a variety of personal injury accidents. 

With this background in-mind, it’s time to dive deeper into why you should contact us for a free case evaluation with an attorney that has the resources and medical knowledge to represent you after you’ve been injured in an accident.  

Lawyers That Understand Medicine 

Our legal team serves to empower our clients so that they make informed decisions throughout each step of the legal process. When you choose us, you can be confident that we’ll help you assess your situation, identify long-term impact of injuries you might not have considered, and explore your options for recourse. 

For example, following a car accident, motorcycle crash, or collision with a large truck,  you might not be aware of all your injuries, especially those with delayed onset. We understand the importance of a thorough medical evaluation to identify even hidden injuries.

Free Case Evaluation

Paul Powell: Your Strongest Advocate

Paul Powell, our law firm’s founder and chief litigator, is a highly respected legal mind. His reputation precedes him:

  • Known for his courtroom presence and meticulous preparation
  • Possesses deep medical knowledge and expertise
  • A skilled communicator who can explain complex medical issues to juries and judges in a clear and concise manner

Choosing Paul Powell ensures you have a lawyer who not only understands the intricacies of your case, but can also effectively present it to achieve the best outcome. You’ll also have the full power of a proven legal team in your corner that boast:

  • Over 4,000 injury cases handled
  • A seasoned team of over 40 attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants total
  • Support from a network of over 120 colleagues and medical advisors
  • Lawyers that understand medicine and how it can impact the outcome of a case

The Right Choice for Your Legal Journey

Selecting the right lawyer is crucial for navigating the complexities of a personal injury case. The Paul Powell Law Firm offers:

  • Experienced guidance to determine your best course of action.
  • A strategic roadmap to navigate legal proceedings.
  • Anticipation and management of unforeseen challenges.
  • Unwavering dedication to protecting your best interests.
  • More Lawyer. Less Fee. 

Ultimately, we understand the significant impact an accident can have on your family, finances, and overall well-being. We’ll be by your side every step of the way, helping you avoid the hidden pitfalls associated with medical bills, lost wages, and specialized needs.

And remember: Paul Powell will NEVER take more money than you after your case settles. We put it in writing. We believe injury victims deserve a voice for what is right and deserve fair compensation. 

Call (702) 728-5500 now to connect with our Las Vegas legal team. You can also submit a free case review anytime, day or night. Contact us today, and experience The Paul Powell Law Firm difference for yourself.

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Reasons to Have Your Insurance Claim Filed by an Attorney

Reasons to Have Your Insurance Claim Filed by an Attorney

We have people who help us prepare our taxes. Yet amazingly, after an accident, we abandon that good sense; having professional help. Instead of using a qualified attorney to get our insurance claim filed, we step out from under the umbrella of safety and decide that we can file the insurance claim all by ourselves. It defies logic. 

Accidents Change Lives

An injury accident changes the course and heading of a person’s life. It gets disrupted. Sometimes drastically, severely, and irreparably. They are no longer going to be able to do what they used to do. Their achievements of the past become useless relics for the future. The skills they invested in and worked so hard to perfect can no longer be done. In one cataclysmic moment, their whole plan and their cherished goals get blown apart. 

Have Insurance Claim Filed by an Injury Attorney

When entering the world of insurance claims, do not act alone. Co-pilot with The Paul Powell Law Firm. You see, here at Paul Powell, we will actually file insurance claims for you. 

Even though insurance companies rank near the top on a list of “Companies You Are Most Dissatisfied With” (only cable companies or car dealers make a worse showing), people persist in going it alone. You have to give insurance companies credit. They do a terrific job of brainwashing and training us about what to do when we have an accident, especially in the automotive world. 

Free Case Evaluation

5 Things Automotive Insurers Care About

Take car accidents, for example. Insurance companies have five areas they care most about the most.  

When there are injuries, did you:

  1. Summon emergency services 
  2. Call the police 
  3. Exchange information
  4. Document with pictures, videos, witnesses, etc.
  5. Call and report the incident to the insurance carrier first

The one at the bottom of the list is super important to them. In their world, things would be perfect if we in fact called immediately. You cannot look at an insurance document or website without seeing “If you’ve been in an accident” numbers prominently displayed. Their ultimate goal is to have us dialing them while still sitting at the scene. 

Why? Because like a runaway horse, the best way to take control of the situation is to grab it by its head right at the start. And when we have had an auto, motorcycle, slip and fall, pedestrian or bicycle accident, we become an insurance company’s runaway horse.

Why Consumers Don’t like Working with Insurance Companies

Most consumers usually dread working with insurance companies after an accident because it usually goes something like this:

  • The injured party calls and reports the accident to a warm, caring, and concerned report taker who most likely transfers them to their own “personal claims adjuster.” 
  • The claims adjuster is very concerned and the first question they ask is “Are you okay?” Of course, at that moment, the average person does not know for sure and most often responds with “Yes.”
  • Then insurance wants informational answers to seemingly benign questions which they may inform you are being recorded. What time did the accident occur? Where? Was anyone hurt? Who was involved? What happened? Were police contacted? And so on.
  • They close out this phase of the process by giving out their personal contact information and offering words of comfort, but the “die has been cast.” 
  • You are on record and everything you just said can and could be used against you to erode or defame your claim.

Over subsequent weeks 

  • The insurance company will have multiple people contact you. Perhaps a repair specialist or a medical services representative.
  • You’ll file and process paperwork back and forth in regard to auto repairs and medical treatments.
  • Insurance will recommend and offer to facilitate getting the vehicle to one of their approved and preferred repair shops.
  • You might defer that to pursue one you know better.
  • Your vehicle gets towed.
  • You might be provided with a loaner car.
  • You may or may not receive status reports about ongoing repairs. 
  • You get news about more undetected damage, supply chain delays in delivering parts, and other issues.
  • You await the final return of your vehicle, which most often fails to meet the projected deadline.
  • Should the vehicle be totaled, should there be out-of-pocket expenses, should other financial burdens have occurred, the insurance company will make an initial payment offer and press to expedite things by sending a check overnight or doing an almost instantaneous account transfer. 

Now the drama escalates 

  1. Was the amount offered fair, considering the replacement value of your vehicle? 
  2. Do your injuries still give you persistent problems? 
  3. Are you sure your current discomfort will indeed heal? 
  4. Are the medical services you receive adequate or do you need to see specialists outside your immediate area?
  5. Have you been out of work and without pay?
  6. Has your future career been impacted?
  7. Have your commitments to others gone unfulfilled? 
  8. Do issues with other involved parties still remain?

Things Tend to Work out Differently than Planned

As you answer these questions, you will probably come to the realization that it makes sense to reject or negotiate some things with the insurance company. And if things have become disagreeable or reached an impasse, you no doubt want to seek legal counsel.

Now the Insurance Company has Become Your Runaway Horse

And like the insurance companies prefer to operate, you’ll find yourself thinking you should have grabbed the head of the runaway horse right at the start! 

That happens when you have your insurance claim filed by Paul Powell. The head of the horse, the ongoing process with insurance, is under control.

Smart People Get Their Insurance Claim Filed By an Attorney

When you get your accident insurance claim filed by Paul Powell, you’ll save time, save money, save tons of aggravation, and avoid errors by putting yourself in the best hands possible right at the beginning. So as soon as humanly possible after you have been involved in an accident, any kind of accident, contact Paul Powell.

Paul wants what is best for you. He strategizes, advocates, and, when necessary, litigates for you. You pay no fees until your case is won or settled. And Paul never makes more from your case than you receive. He puts that in writing. Paul Powell. More Lawyer. Less Fee.

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.