After a car accident, it’s natural to assume that the insurance company will be on your side—especially if you weren’t at fault. You’ve done the right thing by reporting the accident, seeing a doctor, and filing a claim. But before long, you may find yourself facing unexpected delays, lowball settlement offers, or even a flat-out denial. So what went wrong?
Insurance adjusters are trained to look for anything that might weaken your claim. While that doesn’t mean every adjuster is acting in bad faith, it does mean their goal isn’t to pay out the full amount—they’re often working to limit what the company (their client) has to pay. That means your words, your actions, and your records may all be under a microscope.
Understanding what insurance companies look for when reviewing claims may help you avoid missteps so your attorney can build a case that holds up under scrutiny.
One of the first things an adjuster may notice is how soon you sought treatment after the car crash—and whether you followed through with it. A delay in seeking medical attention, skipping follow-up appointments, or discontinuing care prematurely may all raise red flags.
The adjuster may argue that:
Even if you genuinely felt okay at first or didn’t realize the extent of your injuries until days later, the delay may still hurt your case. Documentation from that initial visit might go a long way toward connecting your injuries to the accident.
What you say—and how you say it—may also affect how your claim is viewed. Insurance companies often compare your statements across multiple sources: the police report, your recorded statement to the insurer, conversations with adjusters, and even social media posts.
If your version of events changes, even slightly, they may question your credibility. For example, if you told the officer at the scene that you “felt fine” but later reported back pain and filed a claim, the adjuster may argue that you’re being dishonest or trying to link unrelated injuries to the crash.
It’s not about being perfect, but staying consistent may help avoid misunderstandings. If you’re unsure about something—like the exact time of impact or what direction the other vehicle came from—it’s okay to say that. Guessing might do more harm than good.
Another common tactic is to point to pre-existing conditions – even ones that do not have any symptoms – and suggest that your pain or physical limitations have nothing to do with the accident. If you’ve ever been treated for back problems, joint pain, or other chronic issues, the insurance company may try to say that those conditions—not the crash—are the real cause of your symptoms. They even make the same arguments if you never had any prior treatment, but arthritis or some other degenerative condition shows up on your x-ray.
That doesn’t necessarily mean your claim is invalid. Having a pre-existing condition doesn’t mean you can’t recover compensation. However, it may require more detailed medical records or statements from your doctor to show how the accident aggravated or worsened an existing issue.
This is one area where working with an experienced attorney may be helpful. They may be able to help gather the right evidence to explain how your condition has changed or intensified since the accident.
Car accident claims often come down to evidence. If there’s not enough to show what happened or who was at fault, the insurance company may deny the claim entirely or offer far less than what you’re asking for.
That evidence may include:
When this type of information is missing or incomplete, it may weaken your position. Even things like posting on social media or not following your doctor’s recommendations might be used to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed.
Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. That means you may still be able to recover compensation if you were partially at fault—but only if you were less than 51% responsible for the crash. Even then, the amount you receive may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies may try to leverage this law to their advantage. They may argue that:
The more blame they can shift to you, the less they may have to pay. This is another reason why collecting solid evidence and working with an experienced car accident injury attorney might help you protect your rights. Even small details can make a difference when fault is being debated.
These aren’t the only things that might cause problems, but they’re some of the more common red flags adjusters look for including:
Here’s a quick list of steps you may want to consider after an accident to help protect your claim:
What happens in the days and weeks after a crash may shape your entire injury claim. Even if you’re doing your best to recover and move forward, small details—like waiting a few days to see a doctor or assuming your symptoms will go away—can be used to scrutinize every aspect of your claim.
That’s why many people choose to speak with an attorney early in the process. Having someone who knows what insurance adjusters are looking for may help you avoid common mistakes for a stronger claim. You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to handle everything alone—but the sooner you take steps to protect yourself, the better your chances of recovering fair compensation.
If you’ve been in a crash and have questions about your case or your next steps, don’t wait to get help. Contact Arthur Law Firm right away at (419) 782-9881 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.