If you have been injured in an accident, you expect the insurance company to honestly and fairly resolve your claim based on the facts of the situation. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. If you believe the insurance company has wrongfully denied your claim or extremely undervalued it, you could have a claim against them for additional damages.
You need an experienced lawyer who is not afraid to stand up to the insurance company and demand the compensation you deserve. The team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates has over 120 years of combined experience fighting to protect the rights of accident victims, and we can help with your claim in Carlisle, Pennsylvania today.
Dealing with the effects of an accident is bad enough, and you should not have to deal with an insurance company that is being unfair. Contact us now at (717) 995-8732 to schedule a free consultation with a Carlisle bad faith insurance lawyer, and let us go to work for you.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After an Accident in Carlisle, PA
We understand that it can be intimidating to challenge the insurance company. After all, these large corporations have teams of lawyers and adjusters with seemingly unlimited resources. If they wrongly deny your claim or make you a lowball offer, you may feel as if there is nothing you can do. Thankfully, the team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is here to help.
We can help you hold the insurance company accountable by:
- Examining your original claim for compensation
- Investigating ways the adjuster may have acted in bad faith
- Gathering evidence to help prove your case
- Filing all necessary paperwork and legal claims on your behalf
- Negotiating a settlement that compensates you for your original claim plus other damages
- Fighting to get you the maximum verdict at trial when the insurance company refuses to negotiate
You should not be left on your own to deal with the financial burden of your accident because the insurance company chose to act in bad faith. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to schedule a free consultation with a Carlisle bad faith insurance lawyer who can help you hold them accountable.
How Common Are Bad Faith Insurance Claims?
Unfortunately, recent trends show that bad faith insurance claims are on the rise. It is not uncommon for insurers to deny claims, underpay them, or delay them for extended periods of time. When this happens, accident victims are the ones who suffer because they are counting on compensation from their claim.
While it is difficult to obtain specific data about how many instances of bad faith occur each year, the number is higher than it should be. Insurance companies have an obligation to act in good faith and to pay claims according to the terms of their contracts. When they refuse to do so, you need a lawyer who can force their hand and make them pay for their actions.
Overview of Bad Faith Insurance Claims
A bad faith insurance claim can potentially arise after nearly any type of accident.
What Types of Accidents Are Commonly Involved in Bad Faith Insurance Claims?
If you are involved in an accident that requires an insurance claim, you could potentially face a bad faith situation. For instance, these can occur after:
- Car accidents
- Bus accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Premises liability claims
When you sign up for an insurance policy, you enter into a contract with the insurance company. Per the terms of the contract, you are required to pay regular premiums to the insurance company. In exchange, they must investigate and pay any claims in good faith.
What Constitutes “Bad Faith” Conduct by an Insurance Company?
Generally, acting in good faith means that they investigate and pay claims in an honest, fair, and timely fashion. Insurance companies face thousands of claims each year, so it is easy to see how acting in bad faith could potentially save them money. However, acting in bad faith could get them in some serious trouble.
Some common examples of behavior that may be considered bad faith are:
- Failing to investigate a claim after it has been filed
- Intentionally delaying the processing of a claim
- Providing false information to a claimant about the coverage that is available
- Refusing to pay a claim without investigating the claim at all
- Offering an amount for the claim that is substantially less than it is worth
- Changing the terms of a policy after the claim was submitted
- Failing to provide the claimant with necessary forms or documents
When an insurance company engages in this type of behavior, the claimant does have some legal recourse. Under Pennsylvania law, there are several types of damages that are available in bad faith insurance claims, including:
- Interest on the amount of the original claim
- Punitive damages
- Attorney’s fees and court costs
If you find yourself in a situation where you think the insurance company is not acting in good faith, contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to let us help you put together your claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Carlisle Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers
While many insurance companies in Carlisle, Pennsylvania are open and honest with their claims process, there are still instances in which companies try to skirt the law. If you are the victim of an accident, this can leave you in a very bad position.
If your insurance company is engaging in bad faith practices, contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today. Schedule a free consultation with a Carlisle bad faith insurance lawyer and let us help you get justice.