816-326-2968After a car accident in Kansas City, you expect the insurance company to step in and help. After all, you’ve been paying premiums for protection. But the truth is, insurance companies are businesses first, and their goal is to protect profits — not maximize your recovery.
That means they use strategies designed to deny Kansas City car accident claims or reduce the amount they pay. If you’re not prepared, you could walk away with far less than you deserve.
This article explores the most common insurance company tactics in Kansas City accident claims, and how you can fight back to protect your rights.
Why Insurance Companies Use These Tactics
Insurance companies earn money by collecting premiums and lose money when they pay out claims. Every adjuster’s job is to close claims quickly and for the lowest amount possible.
That’s why, after a Kansas City car accident, you may find yourself dealing with:
- Delays and stalling tactics.
- Lowball settlement offers.
- Attempts to shift fault onto you.
- Requests for unnecessary information.
Knowing these strategies ahead of time can keep you from falling into their traps.
1. Lowball Settlement Offers
One of the most common tactics insurance companies use after a Kansas City accident claim is the quick, lowball settlement offer.
They know you’re stressed, facing medical bills, car repairs, and time off work. By offering a small payout right away, they hope you’ll accept without realizing the true value of your case.
Why it’s a problem:
- Once you accept, you can’t go back for more money.
- Many injuries, like whiplash or concussions, worsen over time.
- A fair Kansas City car accident settlement should include future medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering — not just immediate bills.
2. Delaying Your Claim
Another common tactic is dragging the process out. The insurance company may “lose” paperwork, ask for repeated documentation, or keep changing your point of contact.
Why they do it: They hope you’ll get frustrated and settle for less just to get things over with.
How to fight back: Keep detailed records of every call, email, and document submitted. If delays continue, a Kansas City personal injury lawyer can push the insurer to act in good faith.
3. Shifting Blame with Comparative Fault
In Missouri, comparative fault laws mean your compensation can be reduced if you’re found even partly responsible for the accident. For example:
- If you’re awarded $50,000 but found 20% at fault, you only get $40,000.
Insurance companies often use this rule to their advantage, arguing that you:
- Were speeding slightly.
- Didn’t brake fast enough.
- Were distracted at the time of the crash.
Bottom line: Even small percentages of blame can cut thousands of dollars from your settlement.
4. Minimizing or Denying Injuries
Adjusters may downplay your injuries or claim they weren’t caused by the accident. Common examples include:
- Saying your pain is just from “normal aging.”
- Arguing that a pre-existing condition is to blame.
- Questioning whether you really needed certain treatments.
This is especially common with soft tissue injuries, back injuries, and concussions, which don’t always show up clearly on scans.
5. Requesting Unnecessary Statements or Records
It’s normal for insurers to ask for accident details and medical records — but sometimes they go too far.
Common red flags include:
- Asking for all your medical records (not just related injuries).
- Pushing you to give a recorded statement early in the process.
- Asking leading questions designed to make you admit fault.
Tip: You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Always consult a lawyer before agreeing.
6. Denying Claims for Technical Reasons
Sometimes, insurers outright deny Kansas City car accident claims by pointing to technicalities:
- Missing paperwork or deadlines.
- Policy exclusions hidden in the fine print.
- Disputing whether the policy was active at the time of the crash.
While some denials may be valid, others are examples of bad faith insurance practices — where the company refuses to pay a legitimate claim.
7. Using Your Own Words Against You
Adjusters are trained to pick apart your statements. Even polite phrases like “I’m sorry” or “I feel okay now” can be twisted into admissions of fault or proof your injuries aren’t serious.
That’s why it’s best to stick to facts:
- Date, time, and location of the crash.
- The vehicles involved.
- That you are receiving medical treatment.
And nothing more until you’ve spoken to an attorney.
How These Tactics Impact Kansas City Car Accident Settlements
When insurers succeed with these tactics, your settlement shrinks. You could miss out on compensation for:
- Long-term medical care.
- Future lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress or PTSD.
For example, a fair settlement might be $75,000, but after a lowball offer, comparative fault arguments, and minimized injuries, you might walk away with $10,000 — far less than you need to recover.
How to Protect Yourself
Here are steps you can take if you suspect the insurance company is using these tactics:
- Document Everything – Keep records of medical visits, missed work, accident photos, and communication with insurers.
- Don’t Rush to Settle – Wait until you understand the full extent of your injuries and costs.
- Be Careful What You Say – Stick to facts and avoid speculation.
- Know Your Rights – You don’t have to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurer.
- Consult a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer – An attorney can recognize and push back against these tactics.
The Role of a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize payouts. Having a Kansas City personal injury lawyer on your side levels the playing field.
A lawyer can:
- Communicate with the insurance company for you.
- Collect evidence to prove fault and damages.
- Calculate the full value of your claim.
- Push back against unfair delays or denials.
- Take the case to court if the insurer refuses to be fair.
With representation, insurers know they can’t get away with the usual tricks.
After a Kansas City car accident, insurance companies may seem friendly, but their tactics are designed to save money — not to help you. From lowball offers to delays to outright denials, their strategies can leave you with far less than you deserve.
The best way to protect your Kansas City car accident claim is to stay informed, be cautious in communications, and get help from an experienced personal injury lawyer. That way, when the insurance company tries to reduce or deny your claim, you’ll be ready to fight back. If you or a loved one are involved in a car accident, knowing your legal rights and next steps can make all the difference.
Aramjoo Law Firm is here for you. Contact us today at (816) 479-5898 or online to schedule your free consultation.