Today, Wongsakorn Law Office brings you a checklist of the most common tricks insurance companies use, so that victims don’t get deceived. Whenever an accident occurs, you should contact a lawyer immediately without hesitation because seeking legal counsel after an accident will never put you at a disadvantage.
Everyone knows that accidents can happen anytime, unexpectedly. When they do, they often involve injuries, disabilities, property damage, and in serious cases, even fatalities. Beyond personal loss, accidents can disrupt business operations, affect the environment, or harm the public. Among all, road accidents, whether involving motorcycles or cars remain the most common and damaging, and this is where “insurance companies” always play a major role. And every time insurance comes into play, it often leads to situations where victims must contact a lawyer to protect their rights.
Why do insurance companies like to “teach lessons” to accident victims?
At first, victims often feel secure because they have car insurance. Insurance companies promise peace of mind at the time of purchase, reassuring customers that they will always stand by them. But once a serious accident or significant property damage occurs, the company’s attitude often changes dramatically, turning from friend to adversary.
From over 10 years of legal experience and more than 1,000 insurance-related cases, Wongsakorn Law Office has witnessed countless victims forced to contact lawyers to claim rightful compensation. Today, we share a list of popular tricks used by insurance companies, so that no one falls into their traps.
Common Tricks by Insurance Companies
- “Get well first.”
This phrase sounds caring, but in reality, it’s often used to delay payment. Many victims who waited ended up needing to hire a lawyer because of the damage caused by this so-called “concern.” - “We need additional medical documents.”
A tactic to stall. Even after victims provide full documents, companies often demand more, forcing injured people to repeatedly travel to hospitals while no compensation is paid. - “Backdating alcohol test results.”
Even if a driver’s alcohol level was legal (<50mg%), insurers sometimes “recalculate backward,” falsely classifying cases as drunk driving to deny claims. - “Treatment not yet complete.”
Another way to stall denying claims until recovery, even for severely injured victims. - “No disability card.”
Some insurers refuse compensation for disabled victims who lack an official disability card, despite having medical certificates. - “Maybe you’ll walk again.”
A cynical excuse to avoid paying disability compensation, implying recovery is possible. - “We haven’t received the case yet.” / “We’re not aware of it.”
A delay tactic, often dragging cases for months or even years, or resulting in lowball offers.
A Case Example: Victim Who Contacted a Lawyer in Time
One victim, who suffered a broken leg and required surgery with metal implants, was offered only 80,000 baht in compensation despite medical costs amounting to several hundred thousand. The insurance company even told him to “get well first” and claim later. Recognizing the stall tactic, the victim immediately contacted the Lawyer Arm at Wongsakorn Law Office, who stepped in to demand fair compensation.
This case is just one example. Insurance companies have endless strategies to avoid paying fairly. The best solution? Contact a lawyer immediately after an accident. Don’t fall for “friendly” words that hide exploitative intentions.