Dealing with Farmers After an Accident
If you are hurt in a car, motorcycle, truck, or auto accident, and the other driver was insured with Farmers, you may be wondering what to do next. Farmers utilizes an automated system to assess claim values, and adjusters are incentivized to minimize car accident claims. Therefore, your first step following an accident should be to reach out to an attorney who can protect your rights. If you are dealing with Farmers after an accident, it is crucial to have a lawyer who understands the claims negotiation progress to ensure you do not accept a settlement offer below the actual value of your claim.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers could provide invaluable assistance at each stage of negotiating with Farmers and help protect your legal rights. Each step of the way, an attorney can represent you to help you avoid being taken advantage of.
Reach Out to an Attorney Before Beginning a Farmers Claim
It is important to understand that Farmers’ primary goal is to settle bodily injury claims for as little money as possible. This is why having knowledgeable legal representation from the outset is crucial to maximize the recovery for a claim.
When you reach out to a lawyer, he or she can notify Farmers after an accident. To file a claim, your attorney should have access to the following information:
- The insurance and contact information of the other driver;
- The crash report number and officer’s name;
- The year, make, and model of the other vehicles;
- Any contact information for other parties involved, such as witnesses; and
- Information about the collision and how it happened.
Once Farmers opens the insurance claim, an adjuster will be assigned to your case. The adjuster will then be in touch to collect additional information about the accident and explain how the claim will proceed. A skilled attorney can handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on your recovery, and avoid being taken advantage of by the insurance adjuster.
Handling Property Damage
If Farmers insures the at-fault driver, it should cover the costs associated with repairing your vehicle. Farmers will typically provide you with a list of approved repair shops in your area where damages can be assessed and repaired. In addition, you may also be entitled to compensation for the diminished value of the car, which is the difference between the vehicle’s value before the accident and its value after repairs.
When dealing with Farmers following a crash, if the vehicle is ruled to be beyond repair, or the expense to fix it exceeds the car’s value, the adjuster may instead issue payment for the actual cash value of the vehicle.
The Role of a Lawyer in the Claims Process
When submitting a settlement demand to Farmers, your lawyer must calculate the value of the money lost from any lost income, medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other losses. It is fairly common for adjusters to respond with a low initial offer. Your lawyer will generally advise you to reject an unfair settlement amount and they will respond with their own counteroffer in writing stating why the offer is being rejected. Negotiations with Farmers could last for weeks or even months, so having a dedicated lawyer on your side when dealing with Farmers is vital.
Like any business, Farmers’ foremost priority is to turn a profit. The way an insurer makes money is by earning more in premiums than it pays out in claims. Therefore, it is the job of a Farmers insurance adjuster to attempt to settle claims for the smallest payout possible. Farmers may do this by trying to argue that you contributed to the crash in some way and use that as grounds to reduce the value of your claim. An experienced lawyer can fight back against these allegations.
An accomplished lawyer could help you construct a compelling claim for financial recovery and seek maximum compensation for your damages. An attorney could handle your case from start to finish, from investigating the circumstances of the crash and collecting supporting evidence to submitting a settlement demand and negotiating with Farmers. If it is not possible to reach a settlement out of court, a skilled lawyer could zealously advocate for you before a judge or jury.
An Experienced Accident Attorney Could Help You Deal with Farmers
Dealing with Farmers after an accident may prove extremely daunting, but an attorney with extensive experience representing crash victims could pursue the financial recovery you deserve.
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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