San Antonio Insurance Claims Lawyer
Dealing with an insurance company after a car accident can be a stressful and frustrating experience. You’re worrying about how to pay your medical bills, repair your car, and put food on the table if you are unable to work. The insurer may be slow to respond.
Insurance adjusters often try to take advantage of accident victims who are struggling to recover. To limit the insurer’s liability, the insurer may make a take-it-or-leave-it settlement offer that is far less than the actual value of the case. Adjusters recognize that people recovering from serious injuries who do not have legal representation are at a disadvantage.
Before you accept any offer or sign anything presented by an insurance company after a car accident, reach out to the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover. We’ve helped thousands of clients in the San Antonio area stand up to insurance companies. We have obtained many six- and seven-figure settlements for clients who had serious injuries. Let us put our experience to work for you.
Call us at 210-941-1515 or fill out our contact form today for a free case review and find out how a San Antonio car accident lawyer can help you.
How to Deal with Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident in Texas
The Texas Department of Insurance has clear directions on how to deal with insurance companies. Get the other driver’s vehicle registration and insurance information. Report the accident to your insurer under the terms of your policy.
If you suffered injuries or other losses and the other driver is at fault, you may file a claim with the other’s driver’s insurer or go through your own provider. Keep in mind that insurance companies are profit-driven businesses that try to limit their payouts.
Before trying to file a third-party claim with another driver’s insurance company, you should have a knowledgeable San Antonio personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover review the situation and discuss your legal options. Attorney Troy Brookover understands the tactics that insurers use and how to advocate for his client’s interests.
Why Choose Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover To Deal with Insurance Companies?
The insurance adjuster who contacts you may sound friendly and concerned about your injuries. But the insurance adjuster works for an insurance company. The adjuster’s job is to close accident claims for the lowest amount possible to increase the insurer’s profits. Instead of relying on an adjuster to treat you fairly, turn to the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover. We can help you by:
- Reviewing the relevant insurance policies to determine your rights to compensation
- Calculating your compensable losses
- Building a solid case for compensation
- Handling all communications with the insurance company
- Negotiating hard for a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court if the insurer won’t settle for a fair amount.
An insurer will take your claim more seriously and be more likely to offer a reasonable settlement if you have a strong attorney negotiating on your behalf.
Understanding Car Insurance in Texas
If you drive in Texas, you must prove you have the financial means to pay for any accident you cause. The simplest way to do this is by carrying auto liability insurance. In addition to liability insurance, you may have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to protect you financially if you are involved in a crash with an uninsured driver or a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your losses.
Types of Car Insurance Available in Texas: Which Ones Do You Need?
The Texas Department of Insurance lists seven basic types of car insurance:
- Liability coverage pays for the damage the policyholder causes others in an accident for which the policyholder is at fault. Texas requires policies to provide at least $30,000 per person injured in an accident and $60,000 to all people injured in an accident, as well as $25,000 for property damage.
- Collision coverage pays to repair or replace the policyholder’s vehicle.
- Comprehensive coverage pays to repair your vehicle if it is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision.
- Medical payments coverage pays for your medical expenses and your passengers’ medical bills regardless of who was at fault. Your policy also pays if you are injured while riding in someone else’s car or while riding a bicycle or walking.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is like medical payments coverage in that it pays for medical bills regardless of fault. However, it offers further protections, including payment for lost wages and certain nonmedical costs. All auto insurance policies sold in Texas include PIP coverage unless you specifically decline it.
- Uninsured/underinsured coverage protects you if you’re hit by a driver who cannot pay for the damage they caused you. It’s prudent to have UM/UIM coverage because there are a lot of uninsured and underinsured drivers on the road.
- Towing and labor coverage pays for a tow truck if your vehicle can’t be driven from the scene.
- Rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired.
At-Fault State in Texas: What You Need to Know About Car Accidents
Texas is an at-fault state in terms of assigning financial liability for car accident claims. Anyone who causes an accident is responsible for paying for the harm the accident caused. If another driver caused an accident, you may file a claim with their liability insurance policy to recoup your losses or, if necessary, file a lawsuit demanding compensation.
Should You Contact Your Insurance Company After a Car Accident in Texas?
The terms of your insurance policy likely require you to report an accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. You should notify your auto insurer of any accident, regardless of who was at fault. If you fail to report an accident and are found at fault, the insurance company may cancel your insurance policy for failure to follow the terms of the insurance contract.
What Should You Do If the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Contacts You?
If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, be careful about what you say. Do not apologize or admit fault. Do not agree to give a statement or accept any settlement offer they make. Instead, politely end the conversation and contact a car accident lawyer immediately,
Accepting a Settlement Offer: Is It the Right Choice for You?
If the other driver’s insurance provider thinks its policyholder is at fault, it may offer you a quick settlement. If you accept it, you will effectively waive your right to seek full compensation in court. In other words, whatever the company offers you is probably far less than the fair value of your claim. If you have not been advised of your legal rights by an experienced attorney, you won’t know whether the settlement offer is fair.
Bad Faith Insurance Practices: What To Do If You Suspect Them
Insurance companies that don’t abide by the terms of their policies or deny valid claims may be acting in bad faith. If the insurance adjuster is evasive about any questions you ask or refuses to put things in writing, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.
Get an Expert Insurance Claims Lawyer Near You
Don’t try to negotiate with an insurer on your own after a serious car accident. Call us at 210-941-1515 or fill out our contact form to get a free consultation.