If you feel like you’re being watched after a St. Louis car accident, it may not just be in your head.
A lot of insurance companies work with investigators to follow the claimants for car injury compensation. They hope to find anything that could possibly allow them to dismiss the claim or at least offer a lower amount.
If an investigator is following you, what should you do?
Tell Your Lawyer
If you’re not working with one, reach out to a St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as you can. Tell them about your case and that an investigator is watching you.
Technically, under Missouri law, as long as they follow or photograph you on public spaces, there’s not much you can do. However, private investigators are not allowed to enter your home or go on private property. The lawyer can make sure your rights are not violated, and ensure that the insurance company sticks to evidence pertinent to the case.
If you also feel under threat or have had an altercation with the investigator, you may need to contact the police and file a report against them. You can even take out a restraining order in some cases.
How to Protect Your Claim
Insurance companies won’t automatically hire an investigator for every single compensation claim they have to review. They’ll most likely do it when the amount to be compensated is substantial or when they have reason to suspect you’re not entirely honest about your injuries.
To make sure you don’t add fuel to the fire, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
1. Don’t Ignore Your Doctor’s Recommendations
Take exactly the medicine they prescribed, in the amounts they recommend. If you have to miss an appointment, be sure to notify your doctor and reschedule. Any mistake in your medical treatment could indicate your health is not as serious as you claim.
2. Be Careful Who You Talk to, and What You Say
Investigators will talk to friends, colleagues, neighbors, or anyone who knows you. Don’t make any passing remarks about the claim, because you don’t know how they could be interpreted.
3. Don’t Oversell Your Injuries
Try to be as descriptive as you can about how you feel, and don’t exaggerate in any way. You may think that’s the way towards a bigger settlement, but you’re only setting yourself up for dismissal if the insurance company finds out you lied.
What to Do Now
A car accident claim can be difficult to understand. When you have to focus on your treatment and represent yourself in front of insurance adjusters, there is a lot of room for mistakes. N
To avoid this situation, it’s best to work with an experienced St. Louis car injury lawyer. Give us a call today for a FREE consultation. Call (314) 361-4242.