Insurance companies always look for ways to reduce what they pay out on an injury claim. This is why their interests do not align with yours. The insurance company’s first objective is to protect its bottom line.
If you have a bad driving record, the insurance company will look for a way to use it against you. One common approach they take is to cast doubt on the injured victim’s credibility.
For instance, say you had a prior DUI conviction on your driving record. Even if that old DUI did not involve a crash, the defendant’s attorney may use it to try to impeach your credibility. This is how it could work:
You testify that you are usually a safe driver who follows traffic laws
The defendant’s attorney brings up your old DUI conviction to show otherwise
This evidence casts doubt on your credibility and your statements about the crash
Even if you had a DUI a few years ago and you have become a more responsible driver, it could seriously damage your claim.
In another example, you may have a prior conviction for speeding. The insurance company may try to say you have a habit of speeding and reckless driving. If the at-fault driver lies to the insurance company and there are no witnesses to the crash, your claim could become a “he said, she said” situation.