Dealing with Geico After an Accident
As GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is one of the largest insurance companies, if you get into an auto accident, there is a good chance that the other driver could be insured by GEICO. In fact, you and the other driver may both have GEICO as your insurance company. If you are injured in a collision and GEICO is involved, it is crucial you reach out to an experienced lawyer who has experience dealing with insurance.
GEICO is a company seeking to make a profit. The less it pays out in claims in comparison to the premiums it takes in, the greater its profits will be. This means they will try to pay you the least compensation they think they can get you to accept. If you or your loved one is dealing with GEICO after being hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle crash, the team of skilled car accident attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help make sure your best interests are served.
Working with an Attorney Throughout the Claims Process
If you or your loved one was hurt in a car crash, you should reach out to an experienced injury lawyer. Because you may not realize the extent of your injuries, it is important that you try not to handle your claim on your own. If you do, the insurance representative may try to get you to say you are “fine” even if you are not. That way, they can avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. Once you receive the necessary treatment, your lawyer will get in touch with GEICO (as the defendant’s carrier) to file a claim. Once your attorney contacts the company, the claims representatives will have to work through your lawyer about your injury case and stop bugging you.
A claims adjuster is an insurance agent responsible for assessing the level of compensation that should be paid when a claim is made on an insured’s policy. Immediately after a VA car wreck, the GEICO adjusters begin gather information regarding the accident to decide on a settlement. By having a lawyer handle the initial calls, they can make sure the file starts out properly.
It is also vital to note that anything you say to an adjuster would be used against you as they try to assess their liability in the matter. The claims adjuster will do everything in their power to decrease the amount of compensation they owe you. You do not need to give a recorded statement.
Bodily Injury Claims with GEICO
A bodily injury claim with GEICO should not be handled alone. Insurance companies handling liability claims are not in the business of looking out for your interests, even if they are your insurer too. A personal injury claim should include the full range of damages you are entitled to, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Any additional out of pocket expenses
You do not want to try to settle a personal injury claim before you finished receiving medical treatment, as the insurance company may try to push you to do. Only after treatment is completed, and you know if you have a permanent injury, should your claim enter the negotiations phase. Once you settle, that is it forever so you need to be sure you are covered for future problems from the wreck.
Property Damage Claims with GEICO
The property damage claim is separate from your personal injury case. If we are working on your injury case, we will also help make sure the property damage case is handled properly and as conveniently as possible.
One of the initial steps after opening a claim is to handle the property damage portion of the claim. Whether your vehicle can be repaired or has to be totaled, you may need a rental car. The at-fault driver’s insurer owes you a comparable rental car to the one you were driving.
Make Sure You Have a Lawyer when Negotiating a Settlement with GEICO
The negotiation phase of your claim generally begins when your lawyer sends a settlement demand to GEICO, at which point the adjuster evaluates the demand and makes a counteroffer. If the negotiations lead to a settlement, GEICO will require you to sign a release which releases the insurer and its insured from any and all further liability forever about this crash.
The language included in the release and the type of release depend on several different factors. A personal injury attorney should review the release and ensure you are being treated fairly and understand what rights you are giving up. Our lawyers deal with GEICO daily and can make sure you are not being taken advantage of.
Do Not Try to Deal with GEICO After an Accident Alone
The most effective tactic you could use when dealing with GEICO after an accident is working through a knowledgeable personal injury attorney with extensive experience representing accident victims and their families. The insurers try hard to prevent you from hiring an attorney. GEICO knows that an attorney will protect your rights to full compensation.
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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