If you’re the kind of person who enjoys taking on a variety of do-it-yourself projects — whether it’s changing a tire, filing your own taxes, or fixing a leaky faucet — you might be tempted to tackle the challenge of dealing with insurance companies after an auto accident without a lawyer.
However, we’re here to shed light on why that’s a risky endeavor, even for the most intrepid DIY-er.
When it comes to handling insurance companies, you’ll quickly realize it may seem they don’t have your best interests at heart. Unfortunately, this is often the case. Insurance companies primarily prioritize maximizing their profits and may employ various tactics to minimize payouts, at times even by wrongfully denying valid claims.
In this article, our Dallas auto wreck lawyers at the Law Offices of Tim O’Hare shed light on why forgoing a DIY approach to legal issues and reaching out to a seasoned attorney for help is your best move following an auto accident.
How Insurance Companies Can Work Against You Following an Accident
Dealing with insurance companies after an auto accident can be a frustrating and complicated experience. Insurance adjusters are often more focused on protecting their company’s profits than on fairly compensating accident victims.
Insurance companies are known for quickly reaching out to individuals involved in accidents, aiming to catch them off guard when emotions are still running high. Not knowing what to say to an insurance adjustor or potentially saying too much or the wrong thing can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. This misstep might lead to the inability to recover rightful damages.
Keep in mind that insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize your compensation. Their primary objective is to safeguard their own financial interests, and they are willing to go to great lengths to avoid significant payouts.
Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use
Minimizing payouts is the name of the game and insurance companies may resort to a range of strategies, summarized by the three “D’s”: Delay, Deny, and Defend.
Delay: Insurance companies might intentionally prolong the claims process. They may request excessive documentation, conduct time-consuming investigations, or simply take their time in responding to your inquiries. These delays can put financial pressure on claimants and may lead them to accept lower settlements due to desperation. Additionally, insurance companies will often only reach out to you during business hours, making dealing with them a hassle, especially when you can’t take time out of a busy work schedule to be on the phone. This tactic is frustrating and causes many people’s resolve to soften, leading to settlements that are less than optimal.
Deny: Denial of claims is a common tactic used to limit payouts. Even valid claims can be rejected or disputed by insurance companies. Insurance companies have a long laundry list of excuses to deny claims in whole or part. They may argue that the accident was partially or entirely your fault, that your injuries are not as severe as claimed, or that certain damages are not covered. Denials can be frustrating and disheartening for claimants.
Defend: In the event that a claimant decides to take legal action, insurance companies will often vigorously defend their interests. Their legal counsel will challenge the claim in court, making the process complex and intimidating for individuals who are not well-versed in the legal system.
How a Dallas Auto Wreck Lawyer Will Work For You
These tactics are precisely why it’s important to have an experienced auto wreck lawyer in your corner.
At the Law Offices of Tim O’Hare, our attorneys have years of experience dealing with insurance companies. We know the tactics they use to try to get accident victims to settle for less than they deserve. We also know how to protect our clients from these tactics and negotiate for maximum compensation.
When you hire our team, we’ll handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. This can take a significant amount of stress off your plate, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
Maximizing Compensation with a DFW Auto Wreck Attorney
Following an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation covering a range of economic and non-economic damages, including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. However, insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of your injuries or offer you a low settlement to avoid paying what you’re owed. Often, insurance companies refuse to offer more than the economic damages, until they are forced to do so.
This is where we step in.
We take pride in our ability to assess the true value of each case. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the highest possible compensation, and we have a track record of achieving just that for our clients.
As exemplified by the following cases our legal team has handled in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which are just a small sample of our successes:
1. Car/Bus Accident with Surgeries and Fractures:
- Total Recovery: $2,500,000
- Net to Client: $1,462,357.64
- Expenses: $37,642.49
- Attorney Fees: $1,000,000.00
2. Truck/Pedestrian Accident with Leg Surgery:
- Total Recovery: $1,300,000
- Net to Client: $764,817.48
- Expenses: $15,182.52
- Attorney Fees: $520,000.00
3. Car Accident with Shoulder Surgery:
- Total Recovery: $725,000
- Net to Client: $433,461.11
- Expenses: $1,538.89
- Attorney Fees: $290,000.00
Injured in a Dallas Auto Accident? Turn to the Law Offices of Tim O’Hare for Help.
After an auto accident, the last thing you want to do is navigate the complex legal process on your own. If you try to negotiate with the insurance company on your own, you risk leaving money on the table. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you — contact our team at the Law Offices of Team O’Hare today to schedule a free consultation and ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
