When you must file a claim for compensation for your injuries in a truck accident, you expect the insurance company for the negligent trucker and trucking company to treat you fairly, settle your claim promptly, and pay you what you deserve in your settlement. Unfortunately, some insurance companies will do the opposite and try to deny or reduce your claim. One of the tactics they may employ to fight your claim is to spy on you.
Reasons Insurance Companies Engage in Surveillance
The insurance company may engage in surveillance on their own or could hire a private investigator to do this for them. Reasons that they may have you watched include:
- They want to verify the seriousness of your injuries.
- They want to catch you doing an activity that you should not be able to do given your injuries.
- They want to find statements that you have made that are inconsistent with what you told them about the accident. They are also looking for statements you made admitting fault in causing the accident or that show that your injuries are less serious than you claim.
Types of Surveillance Used by Insurance Companies
The insurance company could engage in surveillance at any time while your claim is being resolved. Times when it may be more likely is right before your deposition or jury trial or when you go to doctor appointments. However, you should always be prepared for the company to spy on you.
There are a number of ways that the insurance company may surveil you. Here are some common ways:
- Videotape and photographs. The insurance company can hire a private investigator to follow you around in public places and photograph or videotape you. The investigator may use a surveillance team and different vehicles to try to hide the fact that they are spying on you.
- Social media sites. The insurance adjuster could conduct a search of your social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, at various times while your claim is being resolved. He may be looking for photographs, your location, and information you share with friends and family to use against you when deciding your claim.
- Internet. The insurance company may do a general Internet search to find articles about you, your blog or website, and comments that you make on other individual’s blogs or websites that weakens your claim.
- Background check. The insurance adjuster, their attorney, or their private investigator may conduct a thorough background check to try to find damaging information about you. This can include where you live, your vehicles, property you own, your criminal record, and driving record and offenses.
What Should You Do If You Suspect That the Insurance Company Is Spying on You?
If you believe that the insurance company for the negligent trucker and trucking company is surveilling you, you should watch what you say, what you do, and where you go. You should also not post anything about your accident or your injuries to any social media sites while your claim is pending. Be careful about sharing anything about yourself that could be misconstrued.
If you have retained an experienced truck accident attorney, you should discuss your concerns with him and obtain advice on what you can do to protect yourself. If you have not hired a lawyer, you should do so immediately. To learn how we can help you, call our Norfolk office today to take advantage of our free, no-obligation consultation.
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