Common Insurance Tricks After a Car Crash: What Louisiana Drivers Need to Know

After a car crash, you expect your insurance company, or the at-fault driver’s insurer, to do the right thing. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works. Insurance companies are businesses focused on minimizing their own payouts, not on getting you what you truly deserve. 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Orleans, Metairie, or anywhere in Louisiana, it’s crucial to recognize some of the most common tactics insurance adjusters use to reduce, delay, or deny your compensation.

Understanding these insurance company tricks will help you protect your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure you recover what you’re legally entitled to after an auto accident. 

Let’s take a closer look together…

Insurance Tricks After a Car Crash

Trick #1: Acting Like They’re On Your Side

One of the most common insurance tactics is pretending to be your friend. Adjusters may seem sympathetic, conversational, and helpful, encouraging you to “just tell them what happened.” But make no mistake: anything you say will be used to limit your claim.

Even seemingly harmless statements like “I’m okay” or “I didn’t see the other car” can be twisted to shift blame or argue that you’re not really injured.

Before giving any statement to an insurance adjuster, written or recorded, talk to a personal injury lawyer in New Orleans who knows how to protect your case.

Trick #2: Offering a Quick Settlement

It’s not unusual for an insurance company to offer a settlement within days of your crash. While it may seem like a relief to get money fast, this tactic is designed to cut off your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries or damages.

Once you accept their offer, you generally can’t go back, even if new medical issues arise later. Don’t rush into a lowball settlement just because the insurance company is pushing for it.

Trick #3: Asking for a Full Medical Authorization

Insurance companies will often ask you to sign a blanket medical release. This allows them to dig through your entire medical history, not just records related to your accident. Their goal? To find pre-existing conditions they can use to argue your injuries weren’t caused by the crash.

You’re not required to give them full access. Always consult with a legal professional before signing anything.

Dealing with an insurance company after an accident? Let Bloom Legal Network connect you with a Louisiana personal injury attorney who will protect your rights every step of the way.

Trick #4: Delaying the Claim Process

Some insurers try to delay the process long enough that you either give up or accept less than you deserve. They may ask for “additional documents,” fail to return calls, or claim they’re still investigating.

In Louisiana, the law only gives you one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Insurers know this and sometimes stall just long enough to run out the clock.

Trick #5: Downplaying Your Injuries

Even when you have medical reports confirming your injuries, the insurance company may still say they’re “not serious,” or that you’re over-treating. They often use hired doctors to review your records and argue that your pain is exaggerated or unrelated.

Your own treating physicians, and your legal team, are often your best protection against this tactic.

Trick #6: Shifting Blame to You

Louisiana follows the rule of comparative fault, which means your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault. Insurers know this, and they’ll look for ways to place part of the blame on you, like saying you were speeding, distracted, or not wearing a seatbelt.

Even if you share some fault, you may still be entitled to compensation. But it takes strong legal advocacy to ensure that fault is assigned fairly.

Don’t let the insurance company twist the facts! Reach out to Bloom Legal Network to get connected with a personal injury lawyer who knows how to challenge unfair claims and protect your case.

Trick #7: Misstating the Law or Your Coverage

Some adjusters will misrepresent your policy limits or legal rights. They might claim you don’t have coverage for certain damages (like pain and suffering), or say the at-fault driver’s insurance is capped when it’s not.

They may also fail to explain important Louisiana laws, like your right to recover lost wages, property damage, medical expenses, and more.

Before accepting anything the insurance company says as truth, get your case reviewed by a qualified personal injury attorney in New Orleans or your local Louisiana parish.

What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Louisiana

If you’ve been injured in a crash in New Orleans, Metairie, or St. Charles Parish, here are a few essential steps to protect yourself from insurance company games:

• Document everything: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and injuries. Keep medical records and receipts.
  
• Seek immediate medical attention: Waiting too long can give the insurer ammunition to say you weren’t hurt.
  
• Don’t talk to the other party’s insurer without legal counsel
  
• Avoid posting about the accident on social media
  
• Contact a personal injury attorney who knows Louisiana law
  

Your Recovery Is Too Important to Risk!

Insurance companies have teams of professionals working to protect their bottom line. You deserve someone who’s looking out for your future, your health, your finances, and your legal rights.

At Bloom Legal Network, we work to connect individuals across Louisiana with trusted personal injury attorneys who have a proven record of standing up to insurance companies and delivering results.

Whether you’ve been hit by a distracted driver in Downtown New Orleans, rear-ended in Gretna, or sideswiped on I-10 near Kenner, we’re here to help you take the right steps forward.

📞 Call us at 504-599-9997
📧 Email info@bloomlegal.com
Let’s match you with a lawyer who understands how insurance companies work—and how to beat them.

Don’t let the insurance company decide what your case is worth. Know your rights, protect your interests, and get the support you need to move forward with confidence.