Did a USAA Driver Crash into You on Your Motorcycle? Watch Out for These Sneaky USAA Tactics.

Watch Out for These Sneaky USAA Tactics to Give You Less Money Than You Deserve

I am tired of motorcycle riders being blamed for crashes they didn’t cause. Insurance companies, like USAA, perpetuate the stereotype of the “irresponsible motorcycle rider” when they try to place blame for motorcycle accidents on people who were riding legally. From the moment of the crash, USAA insurance adjusters are going to look for every opportunity to reduce the amount they have to pay motorcycle crash victims.

This article highlights some sneaky USAA tactics to underpay motorcycle crash victims. If you have been in a Colorado motorcycle accident with a USAA driver, contact me today for a free consultation.

In this article, we cover the following:

1. How does USAA low-ball their motorcycle settlement offers?
2. What to do when USAA pressures you to take a lower settlement.
3. What will USAA insurance adjusters ask me after a motorcycle crash?
4. What should motorcycle crash victims do if USAA isn’t offering enough in a settlement to cover their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering?
5. What to do at the scene of a motorcycle crash with a USAA-insured driver.
6. Why you need a lawyer to help get the biggest settlement out of USAA.

How does USAA low-ball their motorcycle settlement offers?

Like every other insurance company out there, USAA is always looking to minimize its costs and maximize its profits. This goal can sometimes lead USAA to use tactics to lowball settlement offers to motorcycle crash victims. Here are a few examples of ways that USAA lowballs their offers to motorcycle victims:

• Offering a quick settlement: USAA may offer a quick settlement in the hope that you will accept it without fully understanding the extent of your injuries or the long-term costs associated with them. Motorcycle victims in particular should be cautious about accepting a quick settlement offer from USAA without consulting a motorcycle attorney. Typically, victims of motorcycle crashes face severe, long-term medical issues and USAA should rightfully provide everything you need for a full recovery, not just for a handful of doctor bills.
• Downplaying injuries: USAA may try to downplay the extent of your injuries, arguing that they are not as severe as you claimed or that they existed prior to the motorcycle crash. USAA may also argue that your own actions contributed to your injuries. It’s important for motorcycle crash victims to have a complete medical evaluation to document their injuries. You also need to work with an attorney who can push back against USAA’s arguments.
• Using comparative negligence: In some states, a motorcycle crash victim’s compensation can be reduced if they are found to have contributed to the accident in some way. USAA may try to argue that you were partially at fault and, therefore, offer you less money than you need to make a full recovery.
• Making lowball offers: USAA may offer you a lowball settlement in the hope that you will accept it just to put the matter behind you. The days and weeks after a motorcycle crash with a USAA driver are extremely stressful and expensive. USAA is hoping that the stress causes you to make a rash decision and accept a lowball offer. If you were the victim of a motorcycle crash with a USAA driver, you should consult with an attorney to determine the true value of your claim.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, it’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the settlement process and advocate for your rights. Call Rider Justice today at (877) 562-9425 for a free consultation.

What to do when USAA pressures you to take a lower settlement

USAA has a legal obligation to pay compensation for the damages and injuries that their policyholder caused during a motorcycle accident. However, USAA also has a financial interest in reducing the amount of compensation they pay out. To accomplish this, they may use various tactics, such as:

• Blaming the rider: USAA’s insurance adjusters may try to shift the blame to you, the motorcyclist, arguing that you were riding too fast, weaving in and out of traffic, or not following traffic laws. USAA may also argue that you were not wearing proper protective gear, which could have reduced the severity of your injuries. In the end, if the crash wasn’t your fault, you should not be blamed for your injuries. You probably need a motorcycle lawyer to review your case.
• Questioning the severity of injuries: USAA may dispute the extent of your injuries or medical expenses, claiming that the injuries were pre-existing or that the medical treatment was unnecessary or excessive. An experienced personal injury attorney knows this tactic well and can get full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
• Minimizing the value of the motorcycle: This tactic really pisses off a lot of motorcycle riders. USAA insurance adjusters may argue that your motorcycle was not worth as much as you claim, especially if it was an older or customized model. As a motorcycle lover myself, I know how much your bike means and I won’t get them get away with this B.S.
• Delaying the settlement process: USAA may take longer than necessary to investigate your accident and evaluate the claim, which can put pressure you to accept a lower settlement offer out of frustration or financial need. Consult with a motorcycle attorney to evaluate your case and to come up with creative ways to relieve the financial stress you’re under.

It’s important to note that insurance companies are legally required to act in good faith and not use any deceptive or unfair tactics to reduce the value of a claim. If you believe that an insurance company is acting in bad faith or unfairly negotiating your settlement, you should call Rider Justice for a free consultation: ​(877) 562-9425.

What will USAA insurance adjusters ask me after a motorcycle crash?

USAA insurance adjusters will typically ask victims of motorcycle accidents a series of questions in order to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine the extent of damages and injuries.

NEVER FORGET: USAA insurance adjusters are not on your side. They are trained to be nice and to show empathy. They are trained to get you to say things that may endanger your motorcycle accident case in the future. If a USAA insurance adjuster asks to record their call with you, hang up and contact a personal injury attorney immediately.

Some common questions that USAA insurance adjusters may ask you after a motorcycle crash include:

• What is your name, address, and contact information?
• When and where did the motorcycle accident occur?
• What were the weather and road conditions like at the time of the accident?
• Was there any police or medical assistance called to the scene of the accident?
• What were you doing immediately before the accident occurred? (This question in particular is aimed at stereotyping motorcycle riders, whom are always targeted as “irresponsible maniacs.” Again, it is always best to have an accident attorney on this type of call with you.)
• Were you wearing a helmet and other protective gear at the time of the accident?
• Were you driving alone or with a passenger?
• Were there any witnesses to the accident?
• Did you take any photos or video of the accident scene?
• Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries that may have been aggravated by the accident? (Again, you need an attorney by your side to make sure they don’t try to use any pre-existing conditions as an excuse for the other injuries you’re claiming their driver caused.)
• What are your current medical expenses and lost wages as a result of the accident? (It is VERY hard to know what your medical expenses and lost wages will be in the long-term. Only an experienced attorney can help assess this properly.)

It is important to remember that USAA insurance adjusters represent the interests of their employer, the insurance company, and may be looking to minimize the amount of compensation paid out. Contact Rider Justice and The O’Sullivan Law Firm if USAA is asking to talk with you about your motorcycle crash.

What should motorcycle crash victims do if USAA isn’t offering enough in a settlement to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering?

If you were a motorcycle crash victim with a driver who has USAA insurance, and USAA is not offering enough to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, there are several steps you can take. But it’s important to say that the sooner our attorneys get involved, the more help we can be. We find that people inadvertently harm their case without legal support because good people assume the insurance company will “do the right thing.” By now we hope you understand, that just isn’t the case.

• Consider hiring a personal injury lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accident cases. A lawyer can help you negotiate with USAA and ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
• Document all of your medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor visits, and any necessary surgeries or treatments. Keep track of all of your expenses related to the accident, including lost wages and any other financial losses.
• Obtain copies of the police report and any witness statements from the accident. This information can be valuable in negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.
• Be prepared to negotiate with the insurance company. Never accept USAA’s first offer if it does not adequately compensate you for your losses. A motorcycle lawyer knows how to calculate your pain and suffering, future medical care and other losses.
• If necessary, consider taking legal action against the at-fault driver. Your personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether this is a viable option for your case.

Remember: USAA doesn’t really care about making sure you get everything you’re owed. They simply want to pay you as little as possible. If you need help understanding USAA’s settlement offer after a motorcycle crash, call Rider Justice today. (877) 562-9425

What to do at the scene of a motorcycle crash with a USAA-insured driver

Here are some steps that you can take at the scene of a motorcycle accident to help your case against USAA:

• Call the police: The first thing you should do is call the police and report the accident. They will document the scene and create an official police report, which will be important for your insurance claim.
• Gather information: Collect the name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information of the driver who hit you. Also, take note of the make and model of their vehicle, as well as the license plate number.
• Take photos: Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of the motorcycle accident scene, including any damage to your motorcycle and the other driver’s vehicle, as well as any skid marks or debris on the road. This will provide visual evidence to support your claim.
• Get witness statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information and ask if they would be willing to provide a statement. Their testimony could be useful in supporting your claim.
• Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident. This will create a record of any injuries you sustained and could be helpful for your insurance claim.
• Contact your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. They will guide you through the claims process and help you submit the necessary documentation to support your claim.

Remember, it’s important to stay calm and collected at the scene of a motorcycle accident, and not to admit fault or apologize, as this could be used against you in the insurance claim.

Why you need a lawyer to help get a good settlement out of USAA

As a motorcycle rider who was hit by a car driver and suffered serious injuries, there are several reasons why you might need a personal injury attorney. Here are a few:

• Protect your legal rights: A personal injury attorney can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the legal process. This includes handling negotiations with insurance companies, filing legal paperwork, and representing you in court if necessary.
• Maximize your compensation: A personal injury attorney can help you maximize the compensation you receive for your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages. They have experience negotiating with insurance companies and can help you receive a fair settlement.
• Navigate complex legal procedures: The legal process can be complex, and it can be difficult to navigate on your own. A personal injury attorney can guide you through the legal process and ensure that you understand your rights and obligations.
• Focus on your recovery: Dealing with the aftermath of a serious accident can be stressful and overwhelming. By hiring a personal injury attorney, you can focus on your recovery while they handle the legal aspects of your case.
• Level the playing field: Insurance companies have teams of lawyers whose job it is to minimize the amount of money they pay out to accident victims. By hiring a personal injury attorney, you can level the playing field and ensure that you have someone on your side who is looking out for your best interests.

Overall, hiring a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system, protect your rights, and maximize your compensation so that you can focus on your recovery and move forward with your life after a serious accident. Contact Rider Justice or The O’Sullivan Law Firm for a free consultation of your motorcycle crash.