How Insurance Companies Undervalue Claims in McAllen—And How to Fight Back

When you’ve been hurt in an accident in McAllen—whether it’s a car crash on Expressway 83, a fall at La Plaza Mall, or an injury at work—you expect the insurance company to step up. After all, insurance exists to cover damages when things go wrong. But the unfortunate reality is that many insurance companies go to great lengths to undervalue personal injury claims, offering lowball settlements that don’t begin to cover the full cost of your recovery.

At J.A. Davis & Associates, we’ve seen it all. From unfair denials to calculated delays, insurance companies use a variety of tactics to protect their profits, often at the expense of honest, injured Texans. Here’s how the system works, what to watch out for, and most importantly, how we fight back to recover full and fair compensation for our clients in McAllen.

Why Insurance Companies Try to Undervalue Claims

Insurance companies are not public service organizations—they are for-profit businesses. Their goal is straightforward: to collect as much premium income as possible and pay out as little as possible in claims. When you file a personal injury claim, you’re not just asking for money—you’re challenging their profit margin.

  • To protect those margins, adjusters are trained to:
  • Minimize the seriousness of your injury
  • Dispute your version of the accident
  • Argue that your treatment was excessive or unrelated
  • Offer fast settlements before you know the full impact
  • Delay, deny, and drag out the process
  • This strategy isn’t personal—it’s business. But that doesn’t make it right.

Common Tactics Insurers Use to Devalue Claims

Here are the most frequent tricks we see used by insurance companies in McAllen:

1. Quick Lowball Offers
Shortly after you report your injury, you might receive a settlement offer. It may seem generous at first, but in reality, it often doesn’t cover future care, lost wages, or long-term effects.

These offers are designed to close the case fast, before you’ve spoken with an attorney or received a complete medical diagnosis.

2. Blaming the Victim
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If the insurance company can prove you were 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover anything. Even if you’re partially at fault, your award can be reduced.

Insurers often exaggerate your role in the incident, blaming you for distracted driving, unsafe footwear, failure to observe warnings, or “assuming the risk.”

3. Disputing Medical Necessity
Insurance companies may claim that:

  • You waited too long to seek care
  • Your injuries are exaggerated
  • Your medical treatment was unnecessary
  • Your condition is pre-existing

These arguments allow them to reduce or deny payments for your care, even when you followed your doctor’s orders.

4. Using Your Statements Against You
What you say after the accident can be used to reduce your claim. Even a simple “I’m okay” or “I didn’t see it coming” can be twisted to suggest your injuries aren’t serious or that you were at fault.

Insurers often ask for recorded statements, and they’re trained to extract language that can be used against you later.

5. Delaying the Process
Some insurance companies slow-walk claims to pressure you into accepting less. As bills mount and lost wages pile up, they know you may become desperate.

This tactic is widespread in severe injury cases, where the stakes are high.

How J.A. Davis & Associates Fights Back

At our McAllen law firm, we know how to dismantle the insurance companies’ playbook. When we handle your case, we go on the offensive—building a bulletproof claim, demanding fair treatment, and pursuing legal action if necessary.

1. We Gather Strong Evidence Early
Our attorneys conduct a comprehensive investigation that includes:

  • Police reports or incident documentation
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Surveillance or dashcam footage
  • Medical records and treatment plans
  • Expert opinions on long-term prognosis
  • Proof of missed work and future lost income

This evidence builds leverage and prevents insurers from relying on speculation or guesswork to reduce your payout.

2. We Handle All Insurance Communications
We instruct our clients not to speak with insurance adjusters without us present. Once we’re on board, all communication goes through our office.

This prevents you from being tricked into statements that hurt your case, and ensures the insurer plays by the rules.

3. We Calculate the True Value of Your Claim
We don’t guess. We document every dollar of your losses, including:

  • Emergency care
  • Hospital stays
  • Follow-up visits
  • Physical therapy
  • Mental health treatment
  • Prescription medication
  • Lost wages and future income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement or disability

If your case involves permanent impairment, we work with vocational experts and economists to calculate the full lifetime impact.

4. We Refuse to Settle for Less
Some firms aim for quick settlements. We aim for maximum compensation. If the insurance company won’t offer a fair amount, we’re fully prepared to:

  • File a personal injury lawsuit
  • Conduct discovery
  • Depose defendants and adjusters
  • Go to trial if necessary
  • Our willingness to litigate increases your settlement value—even in cases that never go to court.

Local Experience Matters
Insurance companies know which law firms mean business. At J.A. Davis & Associates, we’ve built a strong reputation in McAllen for:

  • Standing up to national insurance carriers
  • Securing favorable verdicts and settlements
  • Understanding local courts and jury dynamics
  • That reputation helps us negotiate from a position of strength, enabling you to achieve the outcome you deserve.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Claim Is Undervalued
If you feel that your insurance company isn’t treating you fairly:

  • Don’t accept the offer
  • Don’t give a recorded statement
  • Don’t sign any releases or waivers
  • Contact a personal injury attorney immediately
  • We offer free consultations and can review your offer or denial—no obligation.

Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing payouts, but you don’t have to face them alone. With the right legal team, you can level the playing field and demand every dollar you’re owed.

If your personal injury claim in McAllen has been undervalued or denied, reach out to J.A. Davis & Associates. We fight for your full recovery—because your health, your future, and your dignity deserve nothing less.