Insurance Settlements Attorney
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that every ten seconds someone in the United States is involved in a car accident. While the majority of auto accidents cause minor property damage, others result in substantial property damage, serious personal injury or wrongful death.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, your first priority is medical attention. However, insurance representatives often become quickly involved, and victims can find themselves overwhelmed. We recommend reading our information on what insurance adjusters don’t want you to know about car accident claims. If you need someone to represent your interests against the team of claim representatives, investigators and attorney that represent the insurance company, contact Scott Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, today. We will help you determine whether to fight or to settle a case in order to achieve the maximum award. We will fight for you!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact your Binghamton, NY car accident lawyer Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, today for a free review of your case. Call our 24-hour answering service at (607) 724-7700 or submit our online contact form.
Don’t Let Insurance Adjusters Take Advantage of You – Hire an Insurance Attorney
As an accident victim, you are suddenly facing multiple issues – your medical treatment, handling responsibilities at home, or paying your bills when you are unable to work. Dealing with the paperwork necessary to file an insurance claim becomes one more task that seems impossible to complete amid the chaos. Insurance companies, on the other hand, have the time and resources to pressure you into signing away your rights or accepting a settlement that doesn’t cover the extent of your injuries. While you may have too many competing priorities, insurance companies have one priority: to minimize their personal injury payout or settlement.
Studies show that injury victims who hire legal representation typically recover up to three times as much money as those who attempt to handle their claim alone Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, can help you through the claims process, acting as your representative to insurance companies to ensure that you receive what you are entitled to under the law. We have the resources and experience to investigate all avenues to determine who was at fault and prove that you are entitled to compensation. We will gather all relevant documentation and work with accident reconstruction and economic experts to build the most effective case possible.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident and you aren’t sure how to deal with the insurance companies or the paperwork – or if you just have questions about your legal right to compensation – contact our car accident attorney at Scott C. Gottlieb today for a free review of your case. Call our 24-hour answering service or submit our online contact form.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Insurance Settlements FAQs
Insurance Settlements
What is insurance company bad faith?
Your insurance company has a duty to handle your claim promptly, reasonably and in “good faith.” If an insurance company fails or refuses to honor its contract and pay a valid claim, you have the right to bring a civil action for damages against that insurance company.
I think the offer the insurance company gave me is too low. Is this bad faith?
Intentionally offering a settlement far lower than what is reasonable could be a case for bad faith. Insurance companies have an obligation to deal with their insured in a reasonable, fair manner. Contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, to discuss your unique claim.
What is a “reservation of rights” letter?
The first thing you might receive from an insurance company is called a “reservation of rights” letter. This letter informs you that the company is investigating your claim, but that it is reserving its right not to pay you anything if it turns out that the accident is not covered under the policy or the claim is still under investigation. The insurance company must still thoroughly investigate your claim and negotiate with you fairly. The letter simply protects the insurance company by preventing you from claiming that the company’s insurance policy must cover your accident just because it began investigating your claim.
An insurance company has offered a settlement. Should I take it?
When the insurance adjuster makes you a first offer, your response should depend on whether it is a reasonable offer. If the offer is reasonable, you can immediately make a counteroffer that is a little bit lower than the amount you originally demanded. This shows the adjuster that you, too, are being reasonable and are willing to compromise. In these negotiations, emphasize the strongest points in your favor — for example, that the insured was completely at fault, that you had a very painful injury, that your medical costs were reasonable, and/or that you had long-term or permanent physical effects. However, these types of negotiations may be complex. An experienced personal injury attorney is much better suited to handle settlement negotiations. Additionally, the insurance industry’s own statistics prove that on average, a person using an attorney will get three times as much money as a person without an attorney.
Will I be taxed on the settlement amount I receive?
Generally speaking, you will not pay income taxes on the amount of the settlement, particularly when it is compensation for pain and suffering.
How soon will my claim be settled?
Insurance companies are required by law to pay all claims in a prompt and reasonable amount of time. However, what constitutes prompt and reasonable may vary from claim to claim. Claims that require special or extended investigation may take longer to resolve.
When should I contact an insurance settlement lawyer?
Certainly before you make any type of commitment in an insurance settlement. Dealing directly with an insurance company can lead to disastrous results. The insurance company will often record your conversation or get you to admit to facts about the accident or your injuries that will hurt your case. You should contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney. We can assist you in asking the right questions, getting a fair settlement and court proceedings if necessary.
Can the insurance adjuster record our telephone conversation?
Generally, he/she can. It is best not to discuss your case without the advice of a lawyer. A lawyer is more experienced with these matters and it may be best to have a lawyer speak on your behalf.
Can the insurance company do video surveillance of me or my family without my permission?
Yes, they can. Insurance companies claim that they do surveillance to prevent fraudulent claims. However, even legitimately injured people may find themselves the subject of a video surveillance camera.
What if I have other questions?
Contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, today. We will answer your questions and discuss your case.
