Attorneys
Last Updated: 5/18/2023
When filing a personal injury claim, an insurance fraud investigator may start examining the case to check for any fraudulent activity or actions. After suffering injuries in an accident, one should contact a personal injury attorney to help file the injury claim against the party responsible for the accident and address any accusations of fraudulent activity.
Types of Surveillance after Filing a Personal Injury Claim
In many cases, the insurance fraud investigators will begin monitoring a claimant looking for signs that they are exaggerating their injuries and limitations.
Some of the common ways insurance companies run surveillance on claimants are:
- monitoring social media posts;
- following the claimant’s daily activities;
- collecting surveillance footage from the scene of the accident; and
- obtaining statements from the claimant's close friends, employers, and co-workers.
There are many cases where this surveillance is misconstrued or improperly embellished by the insurance company to make it seem as if the claimant isn't as injured as he/she claims. For example, if the claimant posts on his or her Facebook account that he/she is feeling fine despite a fractured hip, the comment may be intended to make their loved ones feel at ease. In reality, the claimant may be bedridden and unable to walk because of pain.
Unfortunately, if the insurance fraud investigators get a hold of this social media post, they often take that as evidence that the claimant is doing fine and the case is not worth a full settlement value. It is here that an attorney should be contacted to help avoid the common mistakes made in a personal injury claim and take the right steps to a fair settlement.
Avoid Harming a Personal Injury Claim
If you are pursuing a claim against a negligent party's insurance company, be sure to familiarize yourself with the claims process and some tips for protecting your claim. Walker, Billingsley & Bair offers a free guide to car accident victims in Iowa, The Legal Insider's guide to Iowa Car Accidents: 7 Secrets to Not Wreck Your Case. Check it out and seek help if dealing with adjusters or insurance fraud investigators.
