Do insurance companies spy on claimants? The short answer is yes, especially if the claim involves a severe injury that may involve the insurance company paying out a large settlement. As we know, the last thing that insurance companies want to do is pay high amounts to claims and lose profits.
If you believe that you are being scrutinized or followed after an accident, arm yourself with this information to ensure you take the necessary steps to protect your rights.
WHAT AN INVESTIGATOR WILL LOOK FOR
An accident victim’s credibility will impact the validity and value of their injury claim. As a result, the insurance company and the private investigators will try to gather any evidence they can to disprove the extent of the person’s injuries or symptoms.
While private investigators can’t do anything illegal to gather evidence against you, they can legally follow you, for instance, to:
- Your home
- The store
- Your doctor’s appointment
- The gym
They cannot, however, legally violate your rights to privacy by engaging in the following practices:
- Record you in private areas of your home, such as your living room, bedroom, or bathroom.
- Hack into your online accounts.
- Tap your phone lines.
- Open your mail.
- Enter your property without your consent.
- Harass or threaten you.
Ultimately, they will want to catch a photo or video of you engaging in an activity while out and about that contradicts your original claim related to physical and emotional injuries as well as pain and suffering.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU’RE BEING INVESTIGATED
If you suspect you are being followed or otherwise investigated after an accident, there are a few basic steps you should take to protect yourself:
- Don’t embellish your story to your doctor or anyone else.
- Follow your doctor’s restrictions.
- Always think of how an activity would look if caught on photo or video.
Additionally, investigators can also use a quick internet search to easily locate your social media profiles and find potentially harmful evidence. When it comes to your online presence, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid talking about your case or injury online.
- Limit your tagging in photos and videos.
- Limit the friends you have online.
- Remember that not everything is as private as you think.
- Avoid public forums.
At Huffman & Huffman, we understand that being investigated for a real injury can be a stressful ordeal to go through. Know that we are here to guide you through this process, answer any questions you may have, and help you avoid making any missteps that could jeopardize your claim.
Contact our Newport News car accident attorneys at (757) 599-6050 to speak with our legal team for free today!
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