Insurance Companies and Car Accidents
Get help with your settlement or lawsuit from an experienced lawyer
Car accidents might seem straightforward, especially if another driver clearly caused your crash. Many accidents turn out to be far more complicated than people expect, however. In most cases, that’s because of insurance companies. Instead of working with you to make sure you get the money you deserve, many insurance companies do everything they can to pay you less or nothing at all.
That’s not right. If another driver caused your collision, you deserve to be fairly compensated for your accident-related expenses. When insurance companies play games after your accident, you need a fearless attorney who will fight for your rights and demand the money you deserve. You need The Longo Firm, LLC.
Attorney Stephen A. Longo and his talented legal team know how to deal with insurance companies. We’re familiar with the rules and regulations governing them in Colorado Springs. We understand how the legal system works. That’s why we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims. Case results matter here.
We’re not like other law firms. We believe you’ll notice the difference the first time you deal with us. When you contact us, attorney Longo will personally answer the phone or call you right back. If you have a question about your case, you can contact attorney Longo directly on his personal phone. We do things different at The Longo Firm, LLC. We’re accessible on your terms.
What role do insurance companies play after an accident?
Insurance companies play a significant role when it comes to car accidents. That’s because they’re often responsible for paying for accident-related expenses. This is because many states have fault-based insurance systems. That means the at-fault party is responsible for paying for all accident expenses for injury victims.
Technically, the driver is the at-fault party since they caused the accident. In terms of fault-based insurance systems, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that’s ultimately responsible for paying for injury victim’s expenses in most cases.
Colorado has such an insurance system. As a result, if another driver caused your crash in Colorado, their insurance company would be responsible for paying for your accident expenses, provided that the other driver was found to be at fault for causing your crash.
How do insurance companies determine who was at fault?
Determining who was at fault in a collision can often be a contentious legal matter. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, their insurance company might try to claim that you actually caused the accident. That way, the other driver’s insurance company can avoid paying for your accident.
So how do insurance companies determine who was at fault? Often, they start with the investigating police officer’s official accident report. This is why it’s important to carefully review this report and make sure all the information contained in this official document is accurate.
Insurance companies also often conduct their own independent investigations. They’re often searching for any evidence they can use to blame the accident on anyone other than their policyholder. That way, the insurance company can avoid paying for the accident.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company after my accident?
Don’t be surprised the other driver’s insurance company contacts you after your accident. They might call you on the phone, show up at your house or contact you in writing. Their questions might seem straightforward. You might be tempted to talk to them or respond in writing.
Don’t answer their questions. Anything you say or write in response can be used as evidence to deny your accident claim. That’s why insurance companies often contact injury victims – to find information they can use to deny injury claims.
It’s also important to understand that you do not legally have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. No matter what they write or say, you do not have to answer their questions. Simply tell them to talk to your lawyer if they want more information.
Should I accept a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company?
Another tactic insurance companies often try after an accident is to make a settlement offer to an injury victim. If you receive such an offer, it might be tempting to accept it, especially if you already have a lot of bills coming in related to your accident.
Many initial settlement offers from insurance companies don’t even come close to covering all your accident-related expenses. That’s because most insurance companies only take into account short-term expenses. Your settlement should include money for all future anticipated expenses.
If you don’t take into account future expenses and accept a settlement offer, you will have to pay for future bills related to your accident out of your own pocket. That’s why it’s critical that you carefully consider any settlement before agreeing to accept it.
How can a lawyer help me deal with insurance companies?
An experienced attorney can help you in many different ways when it comes to insurance companies. If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver, some of the steps attorneys can take to help you include:
- Help fill out forms sent to you by insurance companies.
- Deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Review any settlement offers you receive from an insurance company.
- Negotiate a better settlement offer if you believe you deserve more money.
- File a lawsuit or take other legal action against the at-fault driver, especially if their insurance company acts in bad faith, meaning they did not make a fair settlement offer, refused to negotiate or wrongly denied your claim.
Don’t let insurance companies dictate what happens after your accident. Hire a lawyer who can help you take them on and demand the money you rightfully deserve.
Demand the money you deserve. Contact our law firm.
Experience matters when it comes to choosing the right lawyer to represent you after your accident. That’s why so many people consistently choose The Longo Firm, LLC to fight for them after their accident.
In case after case, we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims. The key to our success comes from our experience and in-depth knowledge of how the legal system works.
It isn’t just what we know. It’s our approach that often makes a difference. Insurance companies don’t intimidate us. Attorney Longo thrives on challenging legal cases and will work tirelessly to hold insurance companies accountable after your accident.
Get the law firm that will fight for your rights. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today.