You could do many things for your case when handling your State Farm claims in Ohio. It can be difficult to file claims and pursue an insurance settlement when dealing with large insurance carriers.
Review Your Policy To Remind Yourself What Coverages You Purchased
Before filing an insurance claim, you should review your policy to know what is covered and what is not. This is the same thing a lawyer will do when reviewing your case. If you are not certain what is covered, you may reach out to an attorney who can better explain your rights under your policy.
When Do Insurance Companies Tend to Act in Bad Faith?
Every communication with any insurance carrier should be documented, and you should get everything in writing.
Verbal agreements are not acceptable when dealing with insurance companies. A carrier representative may tell you one thing on a phone call, but do something different.
Moreover, insurance carriers might take advantage of loopholes in your coverage that are not illegal but certainly appear to be questionable. Hiring an attorney to respond to the insurance company can benefit your case.
What Can Speaking to a Lawyer Do for My Case?
When you think the insurance company is not acting in good faith, you can turn to a lawyer to take over negotiations. The insurer could make it seem as though you caused your car accident, when in fact you did not.
This is when the issue of contributory negligence imposed by Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33 becomes relevant. This affects the damages you are due or your insurance carrier must pay your claims. If the carrier can prove that you were more than 50 percent responsible for the incident, it does not need to pay your claims.
When an adjuster or representative of the insurance firm makes it seem as though the incident was your fault, you should consider removing yourself from the situation and contact an attorney. They can explain how contributory negligence could affect your case.
How to Prevent Negative Action from State Farm After a Car Accident
You could do certain things to help your insurance claim go smoothly, including the following.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer To Handle Settlement Negotiations
When dealing with State Farm and hoping to avoid negative action, you could reach out to a law firm. An attorney can focus on the claim and prevent the insurance company from denying your claim unfairly or undervaluing your losses.
Your attorney will focus on your best interests. They must work directly with the insurer to prevent misunderstandings from further derailing the case.
Offer Only the Most Necessary Information
When the insurance carrier reaches out to you, you should only offer the required information.
Avoid Trying to Defend Yourself
If the insurance company begins to blame you for the incident, you should not say anything else. Trying to defend yourself will introduce negative emotions into the situation, making it all the more likely the insurer denies your claim.
Collecting Pictures or Video of Anything That Pertains to The Accident
Try to take as many pictures or videos of the incident, the scene, or your injuries as you can. While an attorney can review security or dashcam video or certain incidents, any information from the scene at the time of the incident is helpful.
Giving Your Attorney the Information You Acquired at the Scene
You should take photos of the accident damage and write down the name and contact information of the other party or parties. Forward this information to your attorney so they can collect statements before filing a claim. Speaking to eyewitnesses helps your lawyer get a better idea of what occurred. Any piece of evidence that proves your losses can help your case.
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Contact Our Firm for Assistance With State Farm Insurance Claims
Contact The Fitch Law Firm at 614-545-3930 for a free consultation when experiencing issues with State Farm.
Some insurance carriers deny claims without good reason and make the process difficult for policyholders. Our lawyers can take on the case for you, allowing you to recover and spend time with your family.
If you suffered a loss and live in Ohio, you could reach out for assistance and to learn more about your legal rights. We want you to have as much information as possible in this case. Our staff can tell you about the estimated time frame of your case.