Once upon a time, insurance companies used to look after the best interests of their clients and left no stone unturned when it came to awarding compensation to those unfortunate enough to be affected by car accidents. Those days, unfortunately, are but a distant memory and over the years, insurance companies have become almost as bad as the big bad wolf. According to an auto accident attorney, the most troublesome companies used to be 21st Century, State Farm and Farmers. They used to discriminate compensation claims based on religion and race. When they got caught, the law pertaining to personal injury was changed and this adversely affected the way insurance companies would deal with personal injury cases.
Some insurance companies make it a point to show that they are happy to litigate every case, hoping that an auto accident attorney will back down and accept the settlement offered. They refuse to negotiate or listen to reason and give you a “take it or leave it” offer. The scenario is so bad with so many insurance companies that if an attorney wants to help a client, litigation is the only option. They make such measly offers and unreasonable demands leaving the attorney with no room to maneuver a better deal for the client, except through litigation and getting a third-party to preside over the case.
Instead of using arbitration as a way to come to an agreement, they use it for discovery of evidence. Most of the time, insurance companies push for a jury trial, instead of negotiating a settlement with the lawyer. Prior to that, they stall during arbitration so that they can get as much information about the client’s case and defense as possible. Thus, when the case goes to trial, they are better prepared. Their objective is to make the claimant spend a lot of money on legal expenses, hoping that the stress caused will force them to take whatever the insurance company is offering.
A good auto accident attorney with plenty of experience in dealing with such cases will know exactly how to play the game. He will help keep the client’s cards close to his chest and make the insurance company sweat as much as possible, revealing bits and pieces right before the trial. This is the best time to put the insurance company on the back foot and puts enough pressure on them, which usually gets a fair settlement offer.
