Insurance Bad Faith Following Car Accidents
By Aaron Larson
Law Offices of Aaron Larson
Contents
- Claims for Vehicle Damage
- Personal Injury Claims
- Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage Claims
- "First Party" Claims for Bodily Injury
Sometimes the worst aspect of a car accident will be trying to resolve a claim for property damage or injury with your own insurance company.
Claims for Vehicle Damage
Auto insurance companies are notorious for making "lowball" settlement offers for cars that have been totaled in car accidents. They may impose unreasonable requirements upon a driver who attempts to negotiate a higher settlement figure, or delay payment until their insured is no longer able to hold out for more.
Personal Injury Claims
Within the context of personal injury litigation, sometimes an insurance company will attempt to avoid providing coverage to its insured by claiming that the accident was not covered by the policy. Sometimes the insurance company will refuse reasonable settlement offers from an injured plaintiff, sometimes ultimately subjecting their insured to a large jury verdict - perhaps in excess of insurance policy limits.
Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage Claims
When a driver is injured by an underinsured or uninsured driver, sometimes the driver's own auto insurance policy will contain a provision providing for compensation. Sometimes, even in cases involving clear liability on the part of the other driver or where the insured is severely injured, insurance carriers will deny that any payment is due or will offer an inadequate sum to "settle" the insured driver's claim.
"First Party" Claims for Bodily Injury
In states where drivers insure for their own medical care following an auto accident, sometimes insurance companies make it very difficult for accident victims to obtain the full range of benefits to which they are entitled by law or under the terms of their insurance policy, or wrongfully deny claims for benefits or reimbursement.
As insurance companies profit from the underpayment and wrongful denial of claims, they have an incentive to make things difficult for their insureds. As insurance companies have vast resources with which to defend against lawsuits, and are very experienced with litigation, if you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith it is a good idea to consult a lawyer experienced with bad faith claims.
If you wish to hire a personal injury lawyer, you may find this article on "How To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer" to be helpful.
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