If you are in an accident and the insurance company isn’t on your side, meaning they are not willing to provide you with fair compensation, hire an attorney to guide you.
With the support of a Connecticut personal injury lawyer, you gain the hands-on support you need to know your rights and to seek compensation that is in alignment with the law.
Discuss Your Case with an Attorney First
Have you been involved in an accident? The first and most important step after receiving medical care is to realize that you have no insurance coverage.
That is, insurance companies will not be on your side because they are for-profit organizations that have the sole goal of making sure you receive as little as possible in the case. There are several ways your attorney can help you immediately:
- Determine fault. Your attorney will determine who is at fault if it is not clear. This includes not just the other party but often third parties responsible for your injuries as well. This is a critical step in holding any insurance company accountable.
- Speak to and manage the insurance company for you. Your lawyer will step in to handle all communication with the insurance company. It does not matter if it is your insurance company or that of the other party involved. By handling all of the communication, insurance companies cannot simply take advantage of you.
- Determine if you should seek a settlement or go to court. In many situations, your attorney will attempt to settle the debt outside of court with the insurance company. If they are not willing to do that, they may prepare to go to court.
In all situations, the insurance company will have to treat you fairly at this point because you have a lawyer involved. Your lawyer knows how to apply the law to seek fair compensation for you. The insurance company will take them seriously. Review our case results to learn more about our firm.
Talking to the Insurance Company
You are not obligated to speak to another party’s insurance company following an accident. An experienced lawyer will tell you that it’s never a good idea to speak to an insurance company about your case because you might end up hurting your claim.
Insurance adjusters care more about their insurance company’s interests than about maximizing the value of your claim. This means they are looking for inconsistencies in your story that can be used to deny your claim or help them negotiate a lower settlement offer.
Remember, insurance adjusters are not your friend; instead, they are trained to make you feel comfortable so they can use what you tell them against you.
Insurance companies are not in the business to pay large claims, and they are not obligated under the law to provide a specific value to you. However, they cannot lie to you or discriminate against you. If you are unsure if they are treating you fairly, seek guidance from your attorney on what you can do legally.
What if They Keep Calling Me
While there isn’t a legal requirement for you to speak to or cooperate with another party’s insurer, don’t expect this to stop them from trying to get in touch with you. Sometimes they might leave a message saying, “The claims process will go much faster if we can get a recorded statement from you.”
Don’t fall for this! A recorded statement can potentially unravel your entire case if they discover something that will undermine your claims. If another party’s insurance company keeps calling you, don’t answer until you have consulted with an attorney about all of your options under the law.
File a Claim Against the Insurance Company
In situations where the insurance company is not on your side or has violated your rights, your lawyer can help you seek legal action against them.
In Connecticut, the Connecticut Department of Insurance covers these organizations to ensure compliance with insurance regulations. In that, there are several laws and rights given to you, as a policyholder or a party seeking a claim. Keep these in mind:
- Unfair claims practices: If you believe that they are violating Connecticut laws for providing fair claims handling, this organization will seek clarification and fine the insurance company. A thorough investigation will be conducted by the organization.
- Policyholder protections: The state has numerous regulations in place that ensure insurance carriers pay the amount they owe you for a claim and that they do not offer less than is considered appropriate.
In these situations, the regulating agency may take legal steps to fine and levy penalties against the insurance company. If you believe this is your right, work with an attorney to help you seek legal action.
Trying to prove this occurred on your own can be more challenging. Your lawyer will help you move your case forward. Our FAQs section provides more information about dealing with insurance companies.
File a Lawsuit Against the At-Fault Party
If the insurance company is not treating you fairly and will not settle your case, but may not be violating any law, your lawyer may recommend filing a claim in a court of law. Filing a lawsuit for your damages is likely to be a legal step you take if you have significant losses or there are disputes over who is at fault.
What is most important to remember is that insurance companies lose money when they go to court. They can settle your case at any time leading up to courtroom day, and many times they do. Let your lawyer advise you on when to agree to a settlement.
If you go to trial, the judge or jury will answer questions about who is at fault and what should be paid. Their decisions are often final.
Let an Attorney Represent You When the Insurance Company Isn’t On Your Side
In situations when an insurance company isn’t on your side, having an attorney working solely for your benefit can prove valuable. Reach out to a local lawyer you can trust for guidance.
Call the Connecticut personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of James A. Welcome today to schedule a free consultation.
