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10 Insurance Tactics That Can Hurt Your Car Accident Claim in Ohio

Posted in Accident & Injury, Car Accident on June 6, 2025

Ohio Attorney Insurance Claims

Injured in a crash? These warning signs from the insurance company could cost you, unless you know how to fight back.

When you’re hurt in a car accident, everything changes fast. Doctor visits. Missed paychecks. Pain that doesn’t go away. And while you’re just trying to get through the day, the insurance company is already working on how to pay you as little as possible.

Whether your crash happened on I-480 in Cleveland, along US-33 in Columbus, or near the riverfront in Cincinnati, these tactics are the same, and they’re built to protect insurers, not victims.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Ohio, here’s what to watch for, what not to do, and how Elk + Elk can help you take your life back.

How Insurance Companies Undermine Your Recovery

1. Fast settlement offers
If the insurance company offers money right away, it’s not a favor; it’s a strategy. They want you to settle before you understand how serious your injuries are or how much your medical care will cost.

2. Asking for a recorded statement
They’ll say it’s “just routine.” It’s not. These statements are designed to get you to say something they can use against you. A simple “I’m feeling better today” can become a reason to deny your claim.

3. Blame-shifting
Even if the crash clearly wasn’t your fault, insurers may argue you were partially responsible. In Ohio, that can reduce your compensation, or eliminate it entirely under comparative negligence rules.

4. Delay tactics
If they stop returning your calls, say they “lost paperwork,” or blame the delay on internal reviews, they’re trying to wait you out. The goal is to make you desperate enough to settle for less.

5. Questioning your medical care
They may claim your treatment was excessive, unnecessary, or unrelated to the crash. Some victims in Akron and Toledo have even been told their injuries were “pre-existing” when they clearly weren’t.

6. Denying the severity of your injuries
If you didn’t go to the ER or waited a few days to see a doctor, they may argue your injury “wasn’t that bad.” In reality, many serious conditions develop or worsen over time.

7. Telling you not to get a lawyer
If they say, “You don’t need a lawyer,” it’s because they don’t want you to know how much your claim is really worth. Legal help is the last thing they want you to have.

8. Pressuring you to sign paperwork
Never sign medical release forms, settlement agreements, or waivers without having them reviewed. You could be signing away your right to future compensation.

9. Offering a lowball payout
Insurance companies are notorious for offering far less than a claim is worth. We’ve seen clients from Dayton to Youngstown offered pennies on the dollar before they called us.

10. Acting like they’re on your side
A friendly voice doesn’t mean fair treatment. They’re trained negotiators and they work for the insurance company, not for you.

What Not to Do After a Car Accident

Even innocent mistakes can damage your car accident claim. Here’s what to avoid:

  • Don’t give a recorded statement without legal advice
  • Don’t accept the first check
  • Don’t say “I’m fine” if you’re not
  • Don’t post about the crash on social media
  • Don’t delay medical treatment
  • Don’t try to handle it alone

 

Related: What types of compensation can you receive after a car accident?

 

Why Elk + Elk Changes Everything

You don’t need just any lawyer. You need a legal team that knows Ohio, knows the law, and knows how insurance companies operate.

At Elk + Elk, we’ve represented clients in every corner of the state, from serious crashes in Cuyahoga County to highway pileups near Franklin County. We have the experience, resources, and reputation to get results.

Here’s what you get when you hire us:

  • On-staff nurses who explain your injuries and medical needs
  • Accident investigators who dig into the facts and preserve evidence
  • Reconstruction experts who can break down exactly how the crash happened
  • A proven track record in injury and insurance claim cases across Ohio

Insurance companies have playbooks. We’ve seen every chapter, and we know how to shut it down. With Elk + Elk, you’ll never be treated like a number. You’ll be seen, heard, and represented.

Injured in a car accident? Call Elk + Elk today.

Don’t trust the insurance company to do the right thing. Get answers. Get help. Contact Elk + Elk anytime. Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO or connect with us online to schedule your free consultation.