Over the last decade, car insurance companies have seen an increase in claims for a number of reasons.
In the past 10 years, car insurance companies have experienced a significant increase in the number of car accident claims filed in the United States. For insurance companies, this is bad news, as they may ultimately be responsible for paying damages on these claims. This could ultimately lead to insurance companies paying less to consumers for their personal injury or property damage claims, and/or charging them more for insurance so that they can continue to make a profit. Overall, there has been a 42 percent increase in motor vehicle accident claims and a 17 percent increase in collision damage claims in the past decade.
Yet the rising number of car accident claims does not necessarily mean that there are more car accidents on American roadways — simply that more consumers are filing claims. One reason that more claims may be filed is that cars are more technologically advanced than ever before. In the past, if someone was involved in a minor car accident, it may have only cost a few hundred dollars to have a mechanic quickly fix the damage — and doing the cost-benefit analysis, many consumers may have decided that it was preferable to pay the mechanic themselves rather than deal with increased insurance rates for years. But now, fixing damage from a minor collision may cost thousands of dollars, so many consumers make a different decision; they often decide that it makes more sense to file a claim with their insurance company rather than pay their mechanic directly. After all, they are paying for car insurance, so it doesn’t make sense to spend money on car insurance and pay thousands of dollars for a car repair that would be covered under the policy.
Insurance companies also believe that some new technologies — like red light cameras — actually have led to a greater number of accidents and personal injury claims. These cameras are often installed on traffic lights, and will take a picture of cars that go through red lights. The local police will then automatically send a ticket to the violator. People soon learn where these red light and other traffic cameras are, and may quickly slam on their brakes to avoid getting caught by one of these cameras — leading to accidents. Other factors leading to increased claims may include distracted driving behaviors, such as texting and driving, and the increased use of drugs such as marijuana.
However, just because the number of insurance claims have gone up does not mean that an insurance company has the right to deny your claim. If you have been hurt in a car accident due to the negligence of another person, a skilled car accident lawyer can help you get the money that you deserve for your injuries. At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, our attorneys know how to get results, with a 95% success rate. We have recovered more than $2 billion dollars on behalf of our clients. We will fight for your right to compensation. Contact us at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to learn how we can help you. Initial consultations are always free, and we never charge a fee unless we get money for you!
