When you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, one of the first steps in your recovery process involves dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company. While insurance adjusters may initially seem helpful, their primary responsibility is to protect the company’s bottom line, not your best interests. In Missouri, as in other states, insurance companies use a variety of tactics to undervalue personal injury claims and minimize payouts.
At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis personal injury attorney has seen these tactics used against injured people across Missouri. Understanding how adjusters operate can help you recognize red flags and take steps to protect your right to full compensation.
Why Insurance Adjusters Aim to Undervalue Claims
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize the cost of each claim filed against their company. While some small claims may be handled fairly, adjusters often use strategic methods to reduce the amount they pay in severe injury cases.
These include:
- Downplaying the severity of your injuries.
- Disputing medical treatments as unnecessary or excessive.
- Blaming the victim for part or all of the incident.
- Delaying the process to pressure you into a lower settlement.
- Offering quick cash settlements before you understand the long-term impact of your injuries.
For example, if you’re injured in a car accident in St. Louis and require months of physical therapy, an adjuster might question whether all your appointments were necessary, even if a licensed doctor prescribed them.
Missouri’s Comparative Fault System and Its Impact
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, which means your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault in the accident. Insurance adjusters know this and may attempt to shift more blame onto you to minimize the payout.
Let’s say you were injured in a pedestrian accident, and the adjuster claims you were “not paying attention.” If they can argue you were 20% at fault, they’ll reduce any settlement by that amount, even if the driver was negligent.
How to Protect Yourself from Undervaluation
Being informed is your first line of defense.
Here’s what you can do:
- Don’t accept a quick settlement offer. These are often far lower than your claim’s actual value.
- Keep detailed records of your injuries, treatments, and missed workdays.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the insurer without speaking to an attorney first.
- Avoid minimizing your injuries in conversations with the adjuster or on social media.
- Speak with an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
At The Gogel Law Firm, we thoroughly assess the value of your claim—including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs—and fight to ensure insurance companies treat you fairly.
Contact The Gogel Law Firm for Help with Your St. Louis Injury Claim
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, slip and fall, or any other incident caused by someone else’s negligence, don’t let the insurance company undervalue your claim. The Gogel Law Firm in St. Louis is here to advocate for you every step of the way.
Call us at (314) 775-3864 or online for a free consultation. You only pay if we recover compensation on your behalf.
