You were seriously hurt by a negligent driver in an Indiana car accident, you filed a claim with the driver’s insurance company, and you have been waiting for months to get the compensation you need and deserve. Why is it taking so long?
There could be a legitimate reason for the delay, but it’s also possible that the insurance company is simply dragging out the process to put off making a big pay-out—and they might be hoping that you will become so impatient that you will accept a smaller settlement than you deserve. How can you tell the difference?
Your Indianapolis car accident attorney will know if the insurer is using common delay tactics, and they will have the resources to fight back and get your claim settled. If you do not have a lawyer representing you in your personal injury claim, it’s never too late to call Keller & Keller for a free consultation.
Common Delay Tactics Used by Indiana Insurance Companies
Until now, it might have seemed like the insurance company was on your side. They probably reached out right away and assured you that they would settle your claim promptly. However, you have not seen a check. Instead, the insurance adjuster is delaying your claim by:
- Requesting excessive documentation. The adjuster might ask you to provide extensive documentation, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements, with the intention of creating obstacles and delays.
- Conducting lengthy investigations. Insurance companies may initiate lengthy investigations into the accident, including obtaining statements from all parties involved and conducting independent assessments to prolong the claims process.
- Repeatedly requesting additional information. If the adjuster asks for additional information, even after you have already provided the necessary documents, it could be an attempt to frustrate you and prolong the settlement.
- Utilizing low settlement offers. The insurance company may offer you a low settlement amount that does not adequately cover your damages, hoping you will become desperate and accept a less favorable offer just to expedite the process.
- Employing complex legal procedures. The adjuster might employ complex legal procedures and requirements purposely to confuse or overwhelm you, causing delays as you navigate the intricacies of the claims process.
- Denying liability without proper justification. A wrongful denial of liability or attempts to shift the blame onto you forces you to engage in legal battles or seek arbitration, further delaying the resolution of the claim.
- Deliberate delays in communication. If your phone calls and emails are not answered or returned, it could be a deliberate attempt to frustrate you and prolong the process. Adjusters will return a call from a personal injury lawyer much faster than they will a call from a claimant without representation.
These are a few common examples of delay tactics. Still, any action by the insurance company or adjuster handling your claim that slows the process could be intentional and should not be tolerated.
Is the Insurance Company Acting in Bad Faith?
This is an important question. The adjuster might be able to justify taking their time to investigate and settle your claim, but if they are employing tactics to intentionally drag out your claim for an unreasonable amount of time, they could be guilty of acting in bad faith. In that situation, the insurance company would not only be responsible for paying out on your claim, but they could also be sued for bad faith damages.
How Can an Attorney Help?
If you call an experienced car crash lawyer immediately after a crash and they agree to take your case, you won’t have to worry about sneaky insurance company tricks. You can focus on your recovery while your lawyer pressures the insurance company for the driver who caused your wreck. That’s their job. If the insurance company got to you first and convinced you that you didn’t need a lawyer, you could wait a long time for that settlement. But it’s never too late to contact our Indianapolis personal injury attorney team at Keller & Keller about your case.
