What’s the Role of Insurance Companies in Personal Injury Cases?
Going through a personal injury is an incredibly difficult experience, both physically and emotionally. On top of dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost income, and rehabilitation, you also have to navigate the complex claims process with insurance companies.
As personal injury attorneys focused solely on dog bite cases in California, we understand how overwhelming and frustrating this journey can be.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, so their priority is protecting their bottom line rather than ensuring you receive full and fair compensation. It’s our role to level the playing field, advocating for your rights and making sure the insurance company treats you fairly throughout the claims process.
What Does the Insurance Company Do?
When someone is injured due to another party’s negligence, the victim can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate the claim. The adjuster reviews all evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements, and then decides if the claim is valid and, if so, how much compensation to offer based on the details of the incident and resulting injuries.
The Initial Claim Process with Insurance Companies
To start a personal injury claim, you’ll need to file it properly and provide the necessary documentation to the insurance company. This includes:
- Personal information
- Details about the incident
- Copies of medical records and bills
- Evidence like photos/videos
- Witness contacts, and
- Any other relevant documentation
It’s important to act quickly – there are strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims in California. If you miss the deadline, the insurance company can use that as justification to deny your claim.
Strategies Insurance Companies Use to Minimize Payouts
Insurance companies are known to use a variety of tactics to reduce what they pay out on injury claims or deny valid claims altogether:
- Questioning the severity of injuries or trying to blame pre-existing conditions
- Arguing you were partially negligent to reduce their liability
- Making lowball settlement offers soon after the incident
- Pressuring you to accept a quick payout before understanding your full damages
- Dragging out the process with delays and excessive documentation requests
Having an experienced personal injury lawyer representing you levels the playing field against these tactics.
Negotiating with Insurance Adjusters for a Fair Settlement
A big part of an attorney’s role is properly evaluating your claim by calculating all economic and non-economic damages like:
- Medical expenses (current and future projections)
- Lost earnings and diminished earning capacity
- Emotional distress and pain, and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disabilities or disfigurements
We know how to effectively negotiate with insurance adjusters, backing up our demands with evidence and legal precedents. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum compensation available.
Personal Injury Attorneys vs. Insurance Companies
While insurance companies have vast resources to protect their profits, hiring a personal injury attorney ensures you have powerful representation, too. We know all the laws and regulations that insurance companies must follow, including acting in good faith.
With decades of combined experience, our team has successfully litigated personal injury cases against even the biggest insurers. We understand how to build strong cases that maximize your settlement or award.
Common Personal Injury Cases Involving Insurance Companies
Dog bite injuries are our singular focus, but insurance companies are involved in all types of personal injury matters:
- Slip and Fall Cases: Premises liability claims against homeowners or businesses for hazardous conditions.
- Car Accidents: Claims against at-fault drivers’ auto insurance policies for collision injuries.
- Product Liability: Lawsuits over defective products that cause harm.
Each type of case has unique nuances an attorney needs to understand for successful claims resolution.
When to File a Lawsuit Against an Insurance Company
If the insurance company acts in bad faith or refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer after negotiations, your attorney may recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit to take the case to trial.
Bad faith practices like these are illegal in California:
- Delaying or denying a legitimate claim without justification
- Failing to properly investigate and evaluate a claim
- Making lowball settlement offers divorced from the reality of damages
By going to court, you can recover compensation for your injuries as well as potential punitive damages against the insurer.
Protecting Your Rights in Personal Injury Cases
If you’ve been injured in a dog bite accident, you’ve already been through traumatic events that resulted in severe injuries, costly medical bills, and emotional distress. The absolute last thing you need is to be taken advantage of by profit-driven insurance companies during this vulnerable time.
At our firm, we are a voice for the injured and hold negligent parties and their insurers fully accountable. From day one, we clearly explain the process, set realistic expectations, and develop a customized legal strategy focused on maximizing your financial recovery.
If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite injury in California, don’t try to tackle the insurance company alone. Contact LA Dog Bite Law today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our legal team will review your situation and answer all your questions. If we take your case, we’ll fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
