Insurance companies don’t waste time. Before the tow truck even shows up, someone from the other driver’s insurer might already be calling. And while they may sound polite, their job is to protect profits, not your recovery. Our North Dakota car accident attorneys have seen these tactics play out time and again.
1. Quick Settlement Offers Before You Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries
In the days following a crash, most people are focused on recovery, not paperwork. But that’s often when insurance companies move fastest. You might get a call with a settlement offer before you’ve even had your second doctor’s visit. On the surface, it can seem like a relief as those medical bills start stacking up, promising less stress, quick money, and one less thing to deal with.
The problem is, those early offers rarely cover the full cost of your injuries. They show up before you know if you’ll need surgery, physical therapy, or time off work to heal. Accepting one could mean signing away your right to get help later, even if your condition worsens.
North Dakota law gives you six years to file a personal injury claim (with some exceptions). That means you have time to understand your injuries and your needs before making any big decisions. If you’re still in treatment, don’t rush to settle. Your future health deserves more than a quick payout.
2. Downplaying the Severity of Your Injuries
Adjusters may try to minimize the seriousness of your injuries. They could argue your symptoms are mild, or worse, claim they existed before the car crash.
- They may point to gaps in medical treatment or lack of initial complaints.
- Under North Dakota law, even if your injury was aggravated by the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation.
- Your ability to recover isn’t canceled out if you’re partially at fault, as long as your fault is less than the combined fault of the other parties.
The best way to protect yourself from these tactics is to keep good records. Hold on to every medical bill, report, and receipt connected to your injury. Go to all your follow-up appointments, even if you feel okay. And if something doesn’t seem right with your diagnosis or treatment, it’s smart to get a second opinion. Having clear proof makes it easier to stand your ground.
3. Using Your Own Words Against You
Another favorite move from insurance companies? Pushing you to give a recorded statement right after the crash. It might sound harmless, like they’re just collecting details to process your claim, but it’s rarely that simple.
These calls often come while you’re still shaken up, maybe even in pain. The adjuster might ask questions that steer you toward minimizing your injuries or saying something that sounds like an admission of fault. In North Dakota, those recordings aren’t just for internal use. They can show up in court, and one offhand comment could chip away at your entire claim.
You don’t have to go along with it. You’re not required to give a recorded statement without getting advice first. It’s perfectly reasonable to say, “I’m not comfortable doing that right now. I’ll be in touch after I speak with someone.” Then call a lawyer who can help you protect your rights.
4. Misstating North Dakota Insurance Laws
Some insurance adjusters may intentionally (or accidentally) misrepresent how car accident claims work in North Dakota, especially if you’re unfamiliar with local laws.
For example, an adjuster might tell you that you can’t recover anything because you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, or they might overstate how much blame you share for the crash. In some cases, they’ll misrepresent how your MedPay coverage works or suggest that liability rules prevent you from getting compensated when that’s not actually true.
North Dakota law outlines minimum liability coverage limits, including $25,000 per person for bodily injury. But if the other driver had more damages, or there were multiple injuries, those limits may be exceeded.
This is one reason it’s so important to talk with a North Dakota car accident attorney early on. Local firms, like Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., know how insurance practices and traffic laws work in cities like Minot, Grand Forks, and Bottineau.
5. Shifting Blame to Reduce Your Claim
Insurance adjusters don’t need to prove you caused the crash. They just need to push your share of the blame to 50% or higher. In North Dakota, that’s the cutoff—if you’re found to be 50% at fault or more, you lose the right to recover any compensation.
That’s why they look for ways to shift blame. They might cherry-pick from the police report, point out small contradictions in your statement, or argue that your actions mattered more than they did. Their goal is to reduce or eliminate your payout.
Showing the other driver was at fault isn’t always enough. You also have to defend your own role in the crash. An experienced car accident lawyer can help by collecting witness statements, securing traffic camera footage, and working with crash experts to present the full story—and keep the blame where it belongs.
Why You Need a Lawyer Who Knows North Dakota Law
Dealing with insurance adjusters on your own can be overwhelming. They’re trained negotiators, and their tactics can put your financial future at risk unless you level the playing field.
Here’s how a skilled attorney can help:
- Handle all communication with adjusters so you don’t say something that hurts your claim.
- Review your damages to ensure all losses—med bills, lost income, emotional distress—are accounted for.
- Identify when adjusters are acting in bad faith or misapplying North Dakota law.
- Strengthen your injury claim to improve your negotiating position.
At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., we’ve helped accident victims across North Dakota recover fair compensation after a crash. Whether your accident happened in Minot, Grand Forks, Bottineau, or nearby towns, our team understands the local roads, risks, and legal environment. Contact our legal team for a free consultation.