After being injured in an accident, most people expect the insurance process to be straightforward: report the incident, file a personal injury claim, and wait for a fair settlement. However, many accident victims are surprised to learn that insurance companies often go to great lengths to protect their bottom line. One of the tactics they may use is surveillance.

This raises an important question: do insurance adjusters spy on you after an accident? The short answer is yes, they sometimes do. Understanding how and why insurance companies conduct surveillance can help you avoid mistakes that may hurt your personal injury settlement.

In this article, we’ll explain the role of insurance adjusters, the methods of insurance surveillance, what the law allows, and how this can affect your personal injury lawsuit. Knowing what to expect will put you in a stronger position to protect yourself and your claim.

What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do?

An insurance adjuster works on behalf of the insurance company to investigate and evaluate claims. Their job is not to advocate for accident victims but to limit the amount the insurance company pays. While adjusters may act friendly, their primary goal is to find reasons to reduce or deny your personal injury settlement.

Adjusters collect evidence, review medical records, interview witnesses, and sometimes hire investigators. In certain cases, they may also arrange surveillance to monitor claimants. This surveillance is legal as long as it does not invade your reasonable expectation of privacy.

Why Insurance Companies Use Surveillance

Insurance companies resort to surveillance for one main reason: to challenge the credibility of your personal injury claim. If you say you are unable to work or that you suffer from severe pain, but surveillance shows you engaging in physical activities, the insurer may argue that your injuries are exaggerated or false.

Common motivations for insurance surveillance include:

• Reducing payouts: Evidence from surveillance may lead to smaller settlements.
• Disputing medical claims: Surveillance can be used to contradict your doctor’s reports.
• Encouraging low settlements: If you fear being watched, you may feel pressured to accept less money just to end the process.

Common Methods of Insurance Surveillance

Insurance adjusters and investigators may use different tactics to observe claimants. These include:

1. In-Person Surveillance

Investigators may follow you in public places, recording video or taking photos of your daily activities. For example, if you’re seen lifting groceries, carrying children, or exercising, insurers may argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.

2. Digital and Social Media Monitoring

Insurance adjusters frequently check social media accounts. Even an innocent photo of you at a family gathering may be taken out of context and used against your personal injury claim. Posts, comments, check-ins, and tagged photos can all provide information to insurers.

3. Interviews with Neighbors or Coworkers

Some insurance investigators may ask questions about your activities, work habits, or lifestyle. While these conversations are generally limited by privacy laws, casual remarks from others may still harm your case.

4. Reviewing Public Records

Insurers may also check court filings, property records, or other public databases to find information that could cast doubt on your personal injury lawsuit.

Is Insurance Surveillance Legal?

Yes, surveillance by insurance companies is generally legal as long as it occurs in public places where you have no reasonable expectation of privacy. For instance, an investigator can legally record you outside your home, in your yard if visible from the street, at a store, or at the gym. However, it is illegal for them to trespass, wiretap private calls, or install hidden cameras inside your home.

It’s important to note that courts often allow insurance surveillance evidence to be introduced in personal injury lawsuits. Even if the footage shows only brief moments that seem inconsistent with your reported injuries, it can be damaging to your credibility.

How Surveillance Affects a Personal Injury Claim

Insurance surveillance can directly impact the outcome of a personal injury settlement. Some ways it may affect your case include:

• Lower Settlement Offers: Insurers may offer less if they believe surveillance shows you are exaggerating your injuries.
• Courtroom Evidence: If your personal injury lawsuit goes to trial, surveillance footage may be shown to the jury.
• Questioning Credibility: Even minor inconsistencies can create doubt, making it harder to recover full compensation.

This is why it’s critical to follow your doctor’s recommendations, avoid exaggerating your injuries, and be mindful of how your actions may appear.

Tips for Protecting Your Personal Injury Case

While you cannot stop insurance adjusters from conducting surveillance, you can take steps to protect your claim:

• Follow Medical Advice: Always attend medical appointments and follow treatment plans.
• Be Honest About Limitations: Do not exaggerate your pain or abilities; honesty strengthens your case.
• Limit Social Media Use: Avoid posting photos or updates until your case is resolved.
• Assume You’re Being Watched: When in public, act as if an investigator could be nearby.
• Work with a Personal Injury Lawyer: An experienced attorney will help you anticipate insurance tactics and safeguard your rights.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Facing an insurance company on your own can be intimidating, especially if they are actively investigating you. A personal injury attorney can:

• Protect your rights against unfair insurance tactics.
• Evaluate and challenge surveillance evidence.
• Gather strong medical and expert testimony to counter insurer arguments.
• Negotiate for a fair personal injury settlement.
• Represent you in court if your personal injury lawsuit goes to trial.

With the guidance of a skilled lawyer, you can level the playing field and ensure the insurance company does not take advantage of you.

Call Brandon J. Broderick For Legal Help

If you believe an insurance adjuster may be watching you after an accident, or if you’re worried about how surveillance could affect your case, you’re not alone. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we have years of experience standing up to insurance companies and protecting accident victims.

Our team of personal injury lawyers will guide you through every step of the claims process, defend your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us today for a free consultation to allow us to review your case.