Dealing with Allstate After an Accident
Surviving an auto accident can be a huge headache even before the struggle of having to negotiate with an insurance company after the crash. If you are dealing with Allstate Insurance Company after an accident, it is crucial that you understand your full range of legal options to recover your losses and pursue all of the compensation you are due. Do not expect the insurance claims representative to look out for you.
The experienced car, truck, and motorcycle accident attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help you navigate dealing with insurance companies. With our help, you can avoid making mistakes that could jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.
Why it is Important to Call an Injury Lawyer First
Although you can file a claim with the defendant driver’s by yourself, it is better to call an attorney to help you if you are hurt, before you talk to the adverse insurance company. That way you can avoid making any statements that could threaten your ability to recover all the compensation you are owed. Once a claim is filed, an insurance adjuster would generally start the process of investigating the accident to limit their liability for the damage, including both bodily injuries and property damages. Because adjusters work for the insurance carrier, they have incentives to uncover information to decrease the value of your claim and ultimate financial recovery.
Allstate adjusters put the details of your accident into a computer system that sorts many hundreds of thousands of prior claims and their outcomes. This software then draws upon an algorithm to set a range of prices for your specific situation. In other words, the insurer often fails to take into account unique factors that could change the value of your claim. To Allstate, you are just a number.
Furthermore, any information provided by you can be factored into the settlement value to decrease the amount. As such, it is vital not to talk to an insurance agent after a crash until you have an experienced Virginia lawyer on your side. It is also important to receive a physician’s care for any injuries suffered immediately following an accident to determine the extent of these injuries and to document them for the purposes of a potential settlement. Right after the wreck you may note even realize the extent of the injuries. The claims representative wants to get you to say you are “fine” even if you are not.
Upon filing a personal injury claim with Allstate, the insurer may send you a reservation of rights letter. This letter permits Allstate to investigate or defend a specific claim to assess whether coverage applies. The letter also reserves the right of Allstate to deny coverage based on information they may uncover while investigating and negotiating the claim. Likewise, the insurer may stall by saying they are not sure their insured was at fault.
Dealing with Property Damage
The at-fault driver’s policy should cover the costs of any property damage you sustain, along with the cost of a rental vehicle while repairs are made. An Allstate adjuster would conduct a damage assessment shortly after a claim is filed to determine whether your vehicle should be totaled or fixed. You may also be entitled to the diminished value of your vehicle, which involves a request for compensation for the difference between the vehicle’s value prior to the accident and its value after repairs.
Claims involving property damage only may be relatively simple but that does not mean you should not work with an experienced professional. An attorney can help you avoid being taken advantage of. Accidents that result in personal injuries may be even more complicated, involving lengthy negotiations and requiring the aggressive legal representation.
Determining How Much a Claim is Worth
When you are dealing with Allstate after a truck, auto, or motorcycle wreck with injuries, it is essential to have an attorney determine the value of your claim before negotiations to help decide whether to take a particular offer from the insurer. Valuing a claim depends on a multitude of factors, including the following:
- The severity of your injuries
- The lasting effects of these injuries
- Any inability to return to work
- Extent of property damage
- Whether there were others involved in the crash
Every situation differs but we at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers know how to build the best version of the case. Therefore, you should consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. An attorney could put together a comprehensive demand letter on your behalf to submit to Allstate for fair compensation or help determine if a lawsuit may be the best course action.
Negotiating with an Allstate Claims Adjuster
Allstate will typically present a first offer that is far lower than what you deserve. Achieving a fair settlement when dealing with Allstate after a crash requires deliberate negotiation which makes the assistance of a skilled lawyer crucial. Our lawyers deal with Allstate every day. We know how to negotiate for top dollar.
Get Help Dealing with Allstate After an Auto Accident
A trusted lawyer could help you stand up to an insurance giant. If you attempt to represent yourself during negotiations when dealing with Allstate after an accident, the company may take you less seriously because it believes you cannot call their bluff. Allstate in Chesapeake, VA has a local team of in-house staff lawyers to defend cases against them.
Trust in the Car Crash Experts at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers to help you navigate dealing with insurance companies. Our team of top-rated attorneys collectively boasts an impressive 128 years of legal experience, during which we’ve learned common tactics employed by insurance companies and how to best negotiate with them. Our attorneys have had an exceptional winning streak that has secured tens of millions of dollars for our clients, including Virginia’s largest reported car accident recovery of $6.5 million in 2020.
Our exclusive access to video footage from 978 traffic cameras across Virginia through our innovative Crash Cam technology has positioned us as pioneers in utilizing crucial evidence for case success. With a dedication to client satisfaction, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers sets the standard for exceptional customer service and unwavering commitment to representing the injured, never the insurance companies. Contact us today, and we’ll help you get the compensation you deserve.
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