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Wrongful Death & Injury Claims: What Insurance Companies Don't Tell You

Insurance companies have strategies to minimize what they pay on wrongful death and injury claims. Chris Markarian exposes what they don't tell you and how to protect yourself.

Wrongful Death & Injury Claims: What Insurance Companies Don’t Tell You

When a family loses a loved one or someone suffers a serious injury due to another party’s negligence, the insurance company is rarely the ally it presents itself to be. In this video, Chris Markarian pulls back the curtain on the tactics insurers use to protect their bottom line and explains what injury victims and grieving families need to know before they accept any offer or give any statement.

The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side

This is the single most important thing to understand after an accident or a wrongful death. The adjuster who calls you may sound sympathetic and helpful, but their job is to resolve your claim for as little money as possible. Every question they ask, every form they send, and every offer they make is designed with that goal in mind.

This is not a cynical view. It is simply how insurance companies operate. Understanding it protects you.

Common Tactics Insurers Use to Minimize Claims

Insurance companies use a well-worn playbook when responding to injury and wrongful death claims. Some of the most common tactics include:

  • Requesting a recorded statement early, before you have legal representation, in hopes you will say something that weakens your case.

  • Making a fast, lowball settlement offer immediately after the incident, before the full extent of injuries or damages is known.

  • Disputing liability by arguing you were partially at fault, which under California’s comparative fault rules can reduce your payout.

  • Delaying the claims process to pressure you into accepting less while your bills pile up.

  • Downplaying the long-term impact of injuries or the financial consequences of a wrongful death on the surviving family.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

The most effective thing you can do is contact a personal injury attorney before giving any substantive statement or accepting any offer. An attorney levels the playing field immediately. Insurers behave very differently when they know a claimant has experienced legal representation, because they know that low offers and delay tactics are far less likely to work.

Beyond that, document everything. Keep records of all medical visits, bills, and treatments. Track any lost wages. Note how your injuries affect your daily life. In a wrongful death case, preserve documentation of the financial and emotional support the deceased provided to the family. This evidence forms the foundation of a strong claim.

What Your Claim Is Actually Worth

Injury and wrongful death claims can include compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and in some cases punitive damages. Insurance companies almost never volunteer the full picture of what a claim is worth. An experienced attorney can assess each category and ensure nothing is left on the table.

Talk to Markarian Law Group Before You Settle

If you have lost a family member or suffered a serious injury and an insurance company is already in contact with you, do not go it alone. Markarian Law Group offers free consultations and works on contingency no fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call us at (909) 500-7629 or reach out online before making any decisions about your claim.

Christopher Markarian

Principal Attorney

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Case Solved

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Years of Experience

Christopher Markarian

Principal Attorney

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Case Solved

0+

Years of Experience

Our Services
Wrongful Death
Dog Bite & Animal Attacks
Burn & Explosion Injuries
Slip and Fall Accident
Parking Lot & Sidewalk Falls
Uneven Flooring Accidents
Our Services
Wrongful Death
Dog Bite & Animal Attacks
Burn & Explosion Injuries
Slip and Fall Accident
Parking Lot & Sidewalk Falls
Uneven Flooring Accidents

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an insurance company deny a wrongful death claim?

Yes. Insurance companies can and do deny wrongful death claims, often citing disputed liability, alleged contributory negligence, or technicalities in the policy. A denial is not the end of the road. An experienced wrongful death attorney can challenge the denial, gather additional evidence, and pursue the claim through litigation if necessary.

Can an insurance company deny a wrongful death claim?

Yes. Insurance companies can and do deny wrongful death claims, often citing disputed liability, alleged contributory negligence, or technicalities in the policy. A denial is not the end of the road. An experienced wrongful death attorney can challenge the denial, gather additional evidence, and pursue the claim through litigation if necessary.

Can an insurance company deny a wrongful death claim?

Yes. Insurance companies can and do deny wrongful death claims, often citing disputed liability, alleged contributory negligence, or technicalities in the policy. A denial is not the end of the road. An experienced wrongful death attorney can challenge the denial, gather additional evidence, and pursue the claim through litigation if necessary.

Why do insurance companies offer quick settlements after an accident?

Quick settlement offers are almost always in the insurance company's interest, not yours. Early offers are made before the full extent of injuries, long-term medical costs, and lost income are known. Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot go back for more, even if your condition worsens. Never accept an offer without first consulting an attorney.

Why do insurance companies offer quick settlements after an accident?

Quick settlement offers are almost always in the insurance company's interest, not yours. Early offers are made before the full extent of injuries, long-term medical costs, and lost income are known. Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot go back for more, even if your condition worsens. Never accept an offer without first consulting an attorney.

Why do insurance companies offer quick settlements after an accident?

Quick settlement offers are almost always in the insurance company's interest, not yours. Early offers are made before the full extent of injuries, long-term medical costs, and lost income are known. Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot go back for more, even if your condition worsens. Never accept an offer without first consulting an attorney.

What should I never say to an insurance adjuster after a wrongful death or injury?

Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as accepting partial fault, downplaying injuries, or agreeing that the situation is minor. Phrases like "I'm fine," "it wasn't that bad," or "maybe I could have done something differently" can be used to reduce your claim. Stick to the basic facts and let your attorney handle substantive conversations with adjusters.

What should I never say to an insurance adjuster after a wrongful death or injury?

Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as accepting partial fault, downplaying injuries, or agreeing that the situation is minor. Phrases like "I'm fine," "it wasn't that bad," or "maybe I could have done something differently" can be used to reduce your claim. Stick to the basic facts and let your attorney handle substantive conversations with adjusters.

What should I never say to an insurance adjuster after a wrongful death or injury?

Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as accepting partial fault, downplaying injuries, or agreeing that the situation is minor. Phrases like "I'm fine," "it wasn't that bad," or "maybe I could have done something differently" can be used to reduce your claim. Stick to the basic facts and let your attorney handle substantive conversations with adjusters.

How do insurance companies calculate injury and wrongful death settlements?

Insurers typically start from the lowest justifiable figure and work to keep the offer there. They factor in documented medical expenses, lost wages, and sometimes pain and suffering, but they often undervalue future costs, emotional harm, and the long-term impact on the surviving family. An attorney can build a complete damages picture that reflects what the claim is truly worth.

How do insurance companies calculate injury and wrongful death settlements?

Insurers typically start from the lowest justifiable figure and work to keep the offer there. They factor in documented medical expenses, lost wages, and sometimes pain and suffering, but they often undervalue future costs, emotional harm, and the long-term impact on the surviving family. An attorney can build a complete damages picture that reflects what the claim is truly worth.

How do insurance companies calculate injury and wrongful death settlements?

Insurers typically start from the lowest justifiable figure and work to keep the offer there. They factor in documented medical expenses, lost wages, and sometimes pain and suffering, but they often undervalue future costs, emotional harm, and the long-term impact on the surviving family. An attorney can build a complete damages picture that reflects what the claim is truly worth.

When should I hire an attorney for a wrongful death or injury claim?

As early as possible. The moment you involve an attorney, the insurance company knows it can no longer use common pressure tactics against you. Evidence is also freshest immediately after an incident, and California's statute of limitations means there are strict deadlines for filing claims. Markarian Law Group offers free consultations, so there is no reason to wait.

When should I hire an attorney for a wrongful death or injury claim?

As early as possible. The moment you involve an attorney, the insurance company knows it can no longer use common pressure tactics against you. Evidence is also freshest immediately after an incident, and California's statute of limitations means there are strict deadlines for filing claims. Markarian Law Group offers free consultations, so there is no reason to wait.

When should I hire an attorney for a wrongful death or injury claim?

As early as possible. The moment you involve an attorney, the insurance company knows it can no longer use common pressure tactics against you. Evidence is also freshest immediately after an incident, and California's statute of limitations means there are strict deadlines for filing claims. Markarian Law Group offers free consultations, so there is no reason to wait.

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