Most personal injury cases in Lawrenceville, Georgia, involve an insurance company. Liability insurance compensates accident victims for damages caused by the insured. The insurance company has a duty to treat your claim fairly. However, some insurance companies may engage in bad faith practices.
If an insurance provider is treating you unfairly, you have rights and legal options. However, you’ll need an experienced Lawrenceville bad-faith insurance lawyer to fight back.
Our Lawrenceville personal injury lawyer has over 18 years of trial experience. Since 2012, we have fought for the rights of accident victims and injured parties. Our legal team has recovered millions for our clients in verdicts and personal injury settlements.
Call us today at (678) 607 9714 to schedule a free consultation with a Lawrenceville bad-faith insurance claims lawyer.
How Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You With a Bad Faith Insurance Practices Claim in Lawrenceville
Insurance companies are not on your side and do not have your best interests as their top priority, regardless of what they claim in their advertising. Insurance companies are in business to make money. Paying claims reduces their profit margins, so they may go to great lengths to avoid liability for a claim.
If you suspect that an insurance company is acting in bad faith, it’s important to consult a Lawrenceville bad-faith insurance lawyer. When you hire our legal team, you can trust we will:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your personal injury claim
- Identify instances of bad-faith insurance practices
- Gather evidence proving the insurance company has not acted in good faith to settle your claim
- Document your damages to determine how much your claim is worth
- Negotiate a settlement for the bad-faith insurance claim
- File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if that is the best way to protect you
Contact our law office today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced bad-faith insurance claims lawyer in Lawrenceville, GA.
We Handle All Types of Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Lawrenceville, GA
Bad faith insurance practices are used in all types of insurance claims. An insurance company may use bad faith tactics to avoid liability for claims filed against insurance policies including, but not limited to:
- Car insurance
- Flood Insurance
- Homeowner’s Insurance
- Medical malpractice insurance
- Business liability insurance
- Fire insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Commercial liability insurance
Regardless of the type of insurance claim you filed, you can rely on Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys to help you fight bad-faith insurance practices. We will fight to recover compensation for your original claim and damages for a bad-faith insurance claim.
How Is Bad Faith Defined in Georgia?
An insurance policy is a legally binding contract that can be enforced by a court. In exchange for the payment of insurance premiums, the insurance company must provide coverage for specific losses.
For example, your car insurance company provides liability insurance if you cause a car crash, provided you pay your insurance premiums and meet all other requirements contained in the insurance policy.
Georgia insurance laws require companies to act in good faith when processing claims. Acting in good faith would include, but is not limited to:
- Acknowledge the receipt of a claim
- Provide accurate information about the insurance coverage and policy limits
- Timely process of insurance claims
- Attempt to settle an insurance claim for a fair settlement amount
- Provide a valid legal reason for denying an insurance claim
Bad faith refers to an insurance company using fraud or dishonesty in a transaction. There are many ways that an insurance company can act in bad faith. Recognizing bad faith insurance practices can help you avoid unjustly denied or undervalued claims.
Examples of Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Lawrenceville, GA
Insurance adjusters and other insurance company representatives act in the company’s best interests. As a result, they’ll search for ways to undervalue damages or deny claims. However, some of their tactics may be considered bad faith.
Examples of bad faith insurance practices include, but are not limited to:
- Refusing to investigate a filed insurance claim in a timely manner
- Requiring unnecessary and burdensome documentation before processing a claim
- Intentionally misrepresenting the terms of the insurance policy, including whether a claim is covered by the policy and the policy limits
- Negligence or refusing to respond to an insured’s request for the status of an insurance claim
- Purposefully undervaluing damages to avoid paying the total value of the claim
- Refusing to pay valid claims that are covered by the insurance policy
- Advising a claimant that they do not need an attorney or legal advice
- Changing the terms of the insurance policy after a claim is filed
- Cancelling an insurance policy to avoid paying a valid claim
- Refusing to explain why an insurance claim is denied
- Pressuring a claimant to accept an unreasonably low settlement offer
- Misrepresenting insurance laws
- Delaying payment of an insurance claim after a settlement agreement is signed
If you suspect that an insurance company is acting in bad faith, contact our Lawrenceville bad-faith insurance lawyer immediately. You may have a claim for bad faith insurance practices that could result in compensation for your losses and damages.
Is a Denial of an Insurance Claim in Lawrenceville Always in Bad Faith?
An insurance company can legally deny an insurance claim if it has a valid reason to do so. The company is not required to pay every insurance claim filed. Valid reasons for denying an insurance claim include:
- The insurance policy does not cover the loss
- The insurance policy lapsed for non-payment
- There is insufficient evidence to prove that the insured is liable for causing the victim’s damages
- There is a valid defense to the claim, such as failure to mitigate damages or contributory fault
- The damages claimed are unnecessary or unreasonable
- The claimant missed the filing deadline for an insurance claim
- The claim involves an error or violation of state law
If an insurance company denies your claim, ask for a written explanation of the denial. You have the right to appeal the denial but must do so within the time limits. You must also follow the requirements for the appeals process. Contact a Lawrenceville bad-faith insurance attorney for advice.
Filing a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Lawrenceville, GA
There are two types of bad faith insurance claims: first-party and third-party. The type of claim you file depends on your role in the personal injury case.
First-Party Bad Faith Insurance Claims
A first-party claim is filed by the policy owner. The insured may have a bad faith claim if the insurance company refuses to pay a valid insurance claim and the insured is sued for damages. For example, your insurance provider refuses to pay a car accident claim when you caused the crash.
You may also have a first-party claim if your insurance company refuses to pay a valid claim you file.
Third-Party Bad Faith Insurance Claims
Third-party bad faith claims are filed by individuals who have a claim against the insured. For example, suppose you are injured at someone’s home. You file a claim against their homeowner’s insurance coverage.
However, the company refuses to pay the claim. You might have a third-party bad faith claim against the insurance company.
What Damages Are Available for a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Georgia?
Georgia law allows parties to seek compensation for special damages and general damages in a bad-faith insurance claim. Special damages or economic damages include the financial losses you incurred because of the insurance company’s actions. Special damages can include attorney’s fees and legal costs for bringing the bad faith claim.
General damages or non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering. If the insurance company’s actions caused you to suffer emotional distress or mental anguish, the company may be ordered to pay financial compensation for those damages.
The court may also award punitive damages if it is determined that the company acted with willful misconduct or malice when processing your claim. Punitive damages punish the insurance company for its conduct, and you still receive the amount.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lawrenceville Bad Faith Insurance Claims Attorney
Call our office or contact us online to discuss your case with an experienced Lawrenceville bad-faith insurance claims lawyer. Your initial consultation is free. Let us help you seek damages for being treated unjustly by the insurance company.