Car Accident Lawyer
Following a car crash caused by another party’s negligence, you have every right to seek compensation. Unfortunately, even in cases where it’s clear to most that you weren’t at fault, that doesn’t mean car insurance companies will play fair. Instead, they sometimes use nasty tactics that allow them not to pay or not to pay a reasonable amount. This quick blog will explore some of these tactics and why having an attorney on your side can defeat them.
Tactic One: Low-Balling Victims
Insurance companies like to prey on victims’ ignorance of the law. For example, while most people might know that a personal injury settlement can cover property damages and medical bills, they may not know several other areas of compensation they’re entitled to. Some examples can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Temporary and permanent disfigurement
- Long-term hospital care, including physical therapy
- In the case of wrongful death, funeral expenses
- Compensation for emotional distress, including PTSD
- Lost wages and job rehabilitation
They may also pressure you into accepting a low offer if you share some of the fault.
Tactic Two: Intentionally Delaying the Claims Process
An insurance company intentionally delaying the claims process can happen in many ways. For example, they might refuse to take your call, say that the appropriate agent is unavailable, take longer to submit the necessary paperwork, etc. The claims process can take a long time, even when all moving parts are working as they should. Insurance companies may delay the process because they assume you’re in a challenging financial situation. In doing so, you’ll be desperate for whatever offer they throw your way, even if it’s low.
Tactic Three: Denying Liability Without Investigating
While insurance companies are legally required to act in good faith, this doesn’t stop some insurance companies from trying to do the opposite. For example, when an insurance company denies a claim and provides a reason that sounds generic or vague, this often indicates that they didn’t even investigate your claim. While this isn’t legal, proving an insurance company is doing this without a lawyer can be extremely difficult.
Tactic Four: Denying Liability Due to Lacking Evidence
When filing a claim, you need to submit the appropriate evidence. This evidence can range from and include items like a police report, pictures taken at the scene, statements, medical reports, and more. Naturally, when you have more evidence, the stronger your case becomes. However, even when you have the necessary evidence to support your claim, an insurance company can still try to deny it.
Tactic Five: An Insurance Company Contacts You Quickly
Sometimes an insurance company will contact you immediately following the accident. While this sounds like a good thing initially, some strings are usually attached. Generally, an insurance company only does this if they’re trying to make you accept a low offer or if they know you have an excellent case and want your case to go away as quickly as possible. Consulting with a car accident lawyer in Orlando, FL, helps ensure you get adequate representation. Our friends at David & Philpot, P.L. have attorneys that can help!