And How We Fight Back
If you’ve been injured in an accident, one of your first phone calls will likely be with an insurance company. Whether it’s your own insurer or the at-fault party’s carrier, their agents often sound helpful and cooperative. But behind the scenes, their job is simple: pay you as little as possible.
At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm, we’ve seen how some insurance companies can use misleading tactics to delay, reduce, or deny valid claims. Based in South Sioux City and licensed in both Nebraska and Iowa, we help personal injury victims take back control and fight for the compensation they deserve.
If you’re dealing with an injury claim, here’s what you need to know about how insurance companies operate—and how having an attorney on your side makes all the difference.
Tactic #1: Offering a Quick, Lowball Settlement
Shortly after an accident, the insurance company may contact you with what seems like a generous offer. You might be tempted to accept—especially if you’re out of work or facing mounting medical bills.
But here’s the truth: that offer is likely far less than your case is worth.
These early offers are designed to:
- Close your case quickly, before full medical costs are known
- Avoid paying for future treatment or long-term effects
- Lock you into a settlement that waives your right to sue later
Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more—even if your injuries worsen. At Fitch & Stahle, we help clients understand the full value of their claim before making any decisions.
Tactic #2: Requesting a Recorded Statement
Another common tactic is to ask you for a recorded statement about the accident. This may sound like a routine step, but the questions are often designed to trip you up or get you to downplay your injuries.
What you say can and will be used to:
- Challenge your credibility
- Minimize your pain and suffering
- Suggest that you’re partially or fully at fault
Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. We handle all communication for you to ensure your rights are protected.
Tactic #3: Delaying the Claim Process
Insurance companies know that time is on their side. By dragging out your claim, they hope to wear you down so you’ll:
- Accept a smaller settlement out of desperation
- Miss important filing deadlines
- Lose access to key evidence
Meanwhile, your bills pile up and your frustration grows. At Fitch & Stahle, we fight back against stalling tactics by pushing your claim forward with a sense of urgency—and if necessary, filing a lawsuit to move the case into court.
Tactic #4: Denying or Disputing Liability
Another favorite strategy: blaming you for the accident. Even if you were clearly the victim, insurers will look for ways to say:
- You were distracted
- You didn’t seek medical care quickly enough
- You contributed to the accident in some way
In Nebraska and Iowa, your compensation can be reduced—or even denied—if the insurance company can convince a court you were more than 50% at fault.
That’s why proving fault with strong evidence is essential. We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators to build a clear, compelling case that holds the other party fully accountable.
Tactic #5: Downplaying Your Injuries
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your injuries and question whether they were caused by the accident. They may say:
- “Your injuries seem minor.”
- “You waited too long to get treated.”
- “You had a pre-existing condition.”
But the reality is, many serious injuries—like whiplash, concussions, or back injuries—may not show full symptoms for days or weeks.
We work with doctors and specialists to create clear medical documentation that connects your injuries directly to the accident and proves the need for treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care.