There is nothing good about getting into a car accident, but some are worse than others. In most cases, a terrible car accident involves one that includes serious injuries and significant property damage. However, some accidents are terrible because the insurance company that should have been there to help you does the exact opposite.
In the state of California, there are laws about what insurance companies must do when it comes to the investigation, handling, and paying out of claims. If they do not follow these laws then they may be acting in bad faith. This may require the help of a personal injury attorney to get straightened out. Keep reading for three examples of bad faith and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you are in need of a free legal consultation with a personal injury attorney.
- Denying an Insurance Claim without Reason
- Not Investigating a Claim
- Offering an Unreasonable Settlement
When an insurance carrier decides to deny a car accident claim, they must provide you with a reason – this is not just the way things should be done, it is the law. If they do not do so then they are acting in bad faith. Likewise, if they refuse to settle or pay on a valid claim, then they are acting in bad faith.
Whether you have filed a claim with your own insurance company or the insurance company of the at-fault party, the insurance company is required to act on the information they are given. One part of this involves performing a thorough and accurate investigation. In the event that an insurance company gets information about an accident but does not act, this can be considered bad faith.
They must make a reasonable effort to determine the facts about the accident, including how it happened, who was at fault, and what damages may be owed. If they fail to do any or all of this then they may be acting in bad faith.
This is one of the most common bad faith tactics and it can be very frustrating – offering a very low settlement offer. If you get an offer hours or days after the accident and it seems that the insurance company has not had much time to investigate your claim, you can count on the fact that they know it is worth much more. They are trying to get you to agree to a settlement before you have a chance to talk to an attorney or realize what your real long-term damages will be.
There is one simple way to prevent being the victim of a bad faith insurance company: Working with a personal injury attorney who knows what’s fair. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we work diligently to get fair treatment for every client. We will give you the facts about your case so you know when you are being offered a fair option and when you are being taken advantage of.
