Hidden Costs of a Car Accident Every Victim Should Know Before Filing a Claim

You’re not imagining it. That friendly voice from the insurance company isn’t always on your side. In fact, it rarely is.

Insurance adjusters are trained to settle fast, and for less than you might actually deserve. Insurance company tricks after an accident aren’t always obvious. 

Some are subtle. Some are downright sneaky. They count on you not knowing your rights, how the system works, or what your claim is truly worth.

If you were hurt in a crash, you might feel overwhelmed. You might think the adjuster is helping. But behind the script and the polite tone, their job is to protect their employer’s bottom line, not you.

1. You Don’t Have to Give a Recorded Statement

Insurance adjusters often make it sound mandatory. It’s not.

You’re under no legal obligation to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. They may say it’s just to “clarify details,” but these recordings can be used against you later. Even small inconsistencies can be twisted to challenge your credibility or downplay your injuries.

Tip: Always speak with a personal injury lawyer before agreeing to any recorded communication.

The Importance of Recorded Statements (and Saying No)

Recorded calls are one of the oldest tactics in the book. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can trip you up. If you say you're “doing okay,” they may log that as evidence that your injuries aren't serious. If you guess about details like speed or timing, they can use that to challenge your version of events later.

Say this instead: “I prefer to speak through my attorney.”

2. Their First Offer Is Usually Far Too Low

It’s standard practice. Adjusters will often come back with a quick offer within days of the accident. It may sound appealing, especially if you're facing medical bills or a loss of income, but it rarely covers long-term costs.

According to a report by the Insurance Research Council, people who hired an attorney after a car crash received settlements that were 3.5 times larger, on average, than those who handled claims themselves.

What that tells you: The first offer is usually just a starting point, not the full value of your claim.

Why You Should Never Accept the First Offer

The first offer is designed to close the case fast, before you know how much you’ll actually lose. Insurance companies want to avoid future medical expenses or wage claims, so they offer a fraction of what your case may really be worth.

Don’t rush it. Once you accept, there’s no going back.

3. They’re Monitoring You, Even Online

Yes, insurance companies hire investigators. And yes, they check your social media.

Photos, check-ins, and comments can all be used to suggest your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. Something as simple as smiling in a group photo can be spun as proof that you’re “doing fine.”

Advice: Tighten your privacy settings and avoid posting about your health, activity, or the accident itself.

Tactics Used to Get You to Admit Fault

Some adjusters casually ask loaded questions, such as, “What could you have done to avoid the crash?” They may say it's routine, but the goal is to shift blame, even partially, so they can reduce their liability.

Stick to the facts. Don’t speculate, and don’t accept responsibility for anything you’re unsure about.

4. You Can Include More Than Just Medical Bills in Your Claim

Another trick? Making you think you're only entitled to reimbursement for hospital visits or physical therapy. In reality, you may also be entitled to:

• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of future earnings
• Emotional distress
• Out-of-pocket expenses (like rental cars or home modifications)

Example: Missouri law allows recovery for all reasonably necessary medical treatment, both past and future, as well as for non-economic damages, such as pain or loss of enjoyment of life.

Your Rights as an Injury Victim

You have more power than you’re told. You have the right to:

• Reject lowball offers
• Hire a lawyer
• Sue for full damages if negotiations fail
• Request a full breakdown of how your claim was valued

You’re not asking for favors. You’re asking for what the law says you’re owed.

5. You Have Time to File a Claim, Don’t Be Rushed

Adjusters often pressure you to settle quickly. They may hint that your case could “expire” or become “more difficult” if you wait.

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a car accident is five years. You don’t have to rush. You do, however, need time to understand the full extent of your injuries and losses, especially if symptoms develop later.

Bottom line: Don’t sign anything until you’ve had a full medical evaluation and legal review.

How Delays Work Against You

While you have time legally, adjusters may use delays strategically. They might:

• “Misplace” paperwork
• Take weeks to return calls
• Request repeated documentation

This can wear people down, especially when bills pile up. It’s a tactic to force a faster (and cheaper) settlement. Push back. Document everything.

6. They Won’t Tell You What Your Claim Is Actually Worth

They know. You probably don’t.

Insurance companies have detailed formulas, industry databases, and decades of claims data to estimate what your case is worth. But they won’t tell you. That’s because the less you know, the less they’ll have to pay.

What helps? Speaking with a local attorney who knows the value of similar cases in Missouri courts.

Their Job Is to Minimize Your Payout

Every dollar they don’t pay you adds to their profit. That’s the business model. Adjusters are trained to settle for less, not to help you get what you deserve.

No matter how helpful or sympathetic they seem, their job is to protect the company, not you.

7. They’re Not on Your Side, Even If It’s Your Own Insurance

This one surprises people.

Even your own insurance company isn’t required to fight for you. In fact, when it comes to underinsured or uninsured motorist claims, your insurer essentially becomes the opposition. Their goal shifts to minimizing the amount they pay you, rather than helping you recover fully.

Example: If the at-fault driver in your Columbia, MO, crash has no insurance, your claim against your own policy could still be disputed or delayed.

Pro tip: Document everything, and don’t assume cooperation means fair treatment.

When to Bring a Lawyer Into the Conversation

If you’re getting pressured, ignored, or confused by the process, it’s time.

A lawyer can:

• Handle communications
• Negotiate for a fair settlement
• Review all paperwork
• Protect you from making damaging statements

You don’t need to wait until things get worse. You can bring an attorney in early to keep things from going wrong in the first place.

What You Can Do Right Now

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Adjusters use tactics that take advantage of your stress, confusion, or lack of legal knowledge. The more you understand about insurance company tricks after an accident, the stronger your position.

If you’ve been in a crash, whether in Columbia, Jefferson City, or anywhere across Missouri, the smartest move you can make is speaking with a lawyer who’s done this before.

Contact us today to discuss your case. Our team helps injured people protect their rights, challenge lowball offers, and pursue the compensation they actually deserve.