Dallas Insurance Claims Attorney | Personal Injury Lawyer Richardson

Category: Bad Faith Insurance

  • What to Know About Auto Insurance in Texas

    Driving is a big deal for people. It means independence. It allows people to have broader options in their daily lives. But it also means responsibility, especially if you have the misfortune of getting into an auto accident.

    No matter how skilled a driver you are, accidents can happen and lead to serious vehicle damage, injuries and even death. Many people think about how this would affect them, but what’s just as important is how it affects the driver and passengers of the other vehicle. This is why having adequate insurance coverage is so important. 

    Do I Have to Have My Vehicle Insured in Texas?

    Yes, you need to have auto insurance in Texas. If you’re driving and get into an auto accident, you’re legally required to show proof that you can pay for the damages.

    What Kind of Auto Insurance Do I Need?

    You need to be able to pay for the other driver’s vehicle damage and their medical bills if you’re the one who caused the accident. This means that, at minimum, you’ll need liability insurance with what’s referred to as 30/60/25 coverage.

    This type of coverage means your insurance covers up to $30,000 for each injured person, $60,000 total per accident and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

    However, this is only the required minimum, and there are some pretty compelling reasons to get more coverage. If you get into a big accident and the minimum doesn’t cover all the costs, the other driver could sue you for damages.

    Other types of insurance options include collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, medical payments coverage and more. If you need to know all of your options, get in touch with an insurance company as soon as possible. This isn’t something you should delay.

    Can I Get in Trouble for Not Having Auto Insurance?

    Yes, you need to show proof of insurance if you get pulled over in Texas. If you don’t have insurance, the police officer could give you a ticket for as high as $350. If you get pulled over repeatedly, the fines can get even higher (up to $1,000) and your license could get suspended.

    What Happens if My Insurance Company Treats Me Unfairly?

    Sometimes an insurer denies a claim or refuses to pay it, while other times they fail to defend clients and compensate them according to the policy limits. In circumstances like these, people file what’s called a bad faith claim. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll want the help of an experienced lawyer.

    Need an Attorney for Your Bad Faith Claim? Request a Consultation Now! 

    At The Fell Law Firm, our attorneys represent clients with bad faith insurance claims. Whether your insurance company has denied your claim, failed to defend you or refuses to compensate you, we can take action and fight for you. Call 972-450-1418 or send us a message online to schedule your consultation.

  • Insurance Bad Faith: Biased Experts and a Failure to Investigate

    Insurance companies have a duty to act in good faith when they offer insurance, when they work with insureds, and when they investigate and pay on claims. 

    In other words, operating in good faith means more than just honoring the terms of the insurance contract. It’s integral to the operation of an insurance business. 

    Numerous court cases have found that insurance companies have a duty to act in good faith even if the insureds claim is ultimately and rightly denied. When insurance companies fail to act in good faith in the processing of a claim and a lot of money is involved, insureds have every right to bring a lawsuit for insurance bad faith.

    Responsible Use of Experts

    Insurance companies often work with experts to determine the cause of damage and the extent of a loss.

    • An expert may investigate the cause of a home or business fire, storm damage or flood. 
    • An expert may investigate a property where an accident or injuries occurred. 
    • An expert may review medical records and provide an opinion about a disability claim. 

    The insurance company will then use this information to support or deny a claim. 

    It’s reasonable to rely on the opinion of experts when making a claim determination and that has often been used as a defense against insurance bad faith claims in court. But in the 2020 case of Fadeeff v. State Farm General Ins. Co., (50 Cal. App. 5th 94), a California appellate court said that an insurance company’s reliance on an outside expert didn’t insulate it from a legal claim of bad faith. 

    The court said that an independent expert’s opinion is only one factor in an investigation. In the case in question, State Farm Insurance paid for cleaning, repairs and some living expenses for homeowners whose home was damaged by a wildfire. It denied payment for other repairs and for content replacement. 

    The Fadeeff’s claimed State Farm Insurance had acted in bad faith by relying upon an outside expert whose credentials were questionable and who did an inadequate job of investigating the extent of damages to their home. Additionally, their attorney said:

    • Some of the damage to the home resulted from power washing that State Farm had recommended to the homeowner
    • State Farm’s position had been inconsistent

    The homeowners hired their own certified expert who documented significantly more damage. 

    The Fadeeff’s went to court seeking punitive damages. Their claim was rejected by a lower court (the company had relied on an expert), but it was reversed on appeal and they were awarded punitive damages and costs. The court cited the case of (Wilson, supra, 42 Cal.4th at pp. 720-721) which said:

    “While an insurance company has no obligation under the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing to pay every claim its insured makes, the insurer cannot deny the claim `without fully investigating the grounds for its denial.’

    The Fadeeff’s could now move forward with their initial bad faith insurance claim. 

    Bad faith insurance claims are complex but when the stakes are high – in the case of the Fadeeff’s the value of their denied claim was $75,000 – it may well be worth talking to a consumer insurance attorney. 

    Don’t Assume Nothing Can Be Done. Talk to a Lawyer

    The Fell Law Firm has experience representing homeowners and business owners in insurance bad faith cases in Dallas-Richardson-Plano area. Mr. Fell can review the facts of your case and advise on the best option to move forward. Call 972-450-1418 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.

  • Underpaid for Your Property Insurance Claim?

    After a fire or a natural disaster, people turn to their insurance company to be reimbursed for damaged homes, businesses and possessions. But you may lose out on money you could receive if you aren’t prepared prove the extent of your losses. 

    Steps To Take Before Disaster Strikes Can Help Your Financial Recovery Afterward

    This post provides tips on what to do before disaster strikes to smooth the insurance settlement process. You want to be fully reimbursed for the true value of your loss from your homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, or specialty insurance policy (like flood insurance or riders for high-value items or business property located in the home).

    If you’ve wrongly received an insurance claim denial, or the insurance adjustor is undervaluing your property, you may need to get a consumer protection attorney involved. 

    What Will Your Property Insurance Policy Pay?

    Pull out your insurance policy and take a look at your property insurance coverage. There is an overview sheet that will show you the value of your home for insurance purposes, as well as the value of personal property. If your home is lost to a fire, tornado, storm (or flood, if you have flood insurance), you need to know what the insurer will pay. 

    Your policy may insure your home to a specific dollar value. Regardless of what your home is worth right now, that is the value you will be paid. That may be the value of the home when you first took out your policy. If you have a good agent, that value is updated regularly.  

    You may have a policy that pays an Extended Value or Guaranteed Replacement Cost. In this case, the insurance company has agreed to rebuild your house to the state it was prior to being destroyed. If it now costs more to rebuild your exact house, the insurer will pay more (usually up to a certain limit). 

    Your insurance policy will state a dollar amount for Contents/Personal Property. Usually this is a percentage of the value of your home coverage (about 70%). That may or may not cover it. 

    Are you being reimbursed for actual cash value or replacement cost of your personal property losses? 

    • Most policies pay for replacement cost, which is the actual cost of replacing the items.  The insurance company will send you an initial check. You purchase new items. Then send the receipts to the insurer with a request for any additional unpaid amount. 
    • Some policies pay for the actual cash value of the items lost. The adjustor depreciates the items for age and condition. Sometimes the adjustor depreciates too much. Depreciation is negotiable. Ask to see a copy of the insurers’ depreciation schedule. 

    Proving Value for a Property Insurance Claim

    Creating a household inventory is the best way to prove the existence, and value, of personal property. Some insurance companies provide customers with an electronic inventory program they can use to gather and store information. You can find a list of home inventory apps at Forbes Advisor. But you can also do this just with a paper, pen and a camera. Learn more at the Insurance Information Institute.

    Before Disaster Strikes

    Document Your Possessions: Go room by room and make a list of everything you own. Describe the items to the extent you can, including date of purchase, model or serial number, brand, purchase price, and any other pertinent information. Unsure of the value? You can use the internet to look up the price of items. 

    You may wish to do this once a year to ensure you haven’t forgotten to include new property. 

    Adjustors often ask for receipts for higher-value items. Policyholders often don’t have them. Do you need to provide a receipt? Yes and no. 

    As a policyholder, you have an obligation to cooperate with the insurance company’s investigation. While an insurance company can’t deny your claim because you can’t produce a receipt, they could investigate further and this could cause delays. If you have receipts, you should provide them. 

    When a home or business is a total loss, receipts are usually lost, too. With some advance planning you can protect this information. Take a photo of the sales receipt or purchasing contract or written appraisal for any item of significant value. Store this information in the Cloud or put it on a thumb drive in a safety deposit box (or another place away from home). 

    Take Photographs: Take pictures of your home and personal property in natural light and from multiple angles. You could also videotape your property as you tour it, narrating information about the possessions on the video. Photos and video can be used to demonstrate ownership and condition. They will help jog your memory when you need to provide the insurance company with an inventory. Again, store those photos in the Cloud, or in a safety deposit box. 

    After Disaster Strikes

    Store Items: Do not throw away damaged items until you have been fully compensated. The insurance company may need to inspect them. Store them in a basement or garage, or even a rented storage unit. If possible, secure them so they can’t become more damaged while in storage.

    Document Living Costs While Away from Home: If you can’t live in your home while repairs or rebuilding is taking place, your insurance policy may entitle you to be reimbursed for temporary living expenses. Document your expenses for hotels or home rental, meals, car rental, etc. Photograph those receipts as well.  

    Working With A Property Insurance Company

    Report your loss as soon as possible to your insurance agent or insurance company. Keep track of every interaction you have with the insurance company in a notebook or file. If there is a problem with your insurance claim later, your notes may be valuable to proving your case. 

    • When did you notify your agent of a claim? When did you receive confirmation that your claim had been received (put the letter in your notebook)?
    • When did you send proof? What did you send?
    • Did you have phone conversations? What was said?
    • Copy emails and put them into the notebook. 
    • When did you have visits from an adjustor, a contractor, etc.? 
    • What did the adjustor say and what did they agree to? 

    You may be asked to give a recorded or sworn statement in an Examination Under Oath. You may wish to talk to an attorney before you do so. Either way, make a recording for yourself and keep it. (You can do so with your cell phone). 

    In some instances, you may be asked to provide tax returns to prove you had the ability to purchase a high-value item. You are not legally required to give your insurer your tax returns. 

    Now begin working on your inventory. Remember, the goal of the insurance adjustor is to control the amount of money that gets paid on a claim. You want to maximize your claim in all ways that are legal. Documentation and organization will help you do so. 

    If You Need Help, Contact an Insureds Lawyer

    If you believe you are being underpaid or unreasonably delayed by your insurance company, talk to a consumer protection attorney. The Fell Law Firm can help. Call 972-450-1418 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.

  • Insurance Claim Check Delayed? See the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act

    The Texas Insurance Code protects consumers from unfair insurance practices. One of the ways it does so is by allowing consumers to bring lawsuits against insurance companies when they act in bad faith. 

    Insurance claim check delays are an example of insurance company bad faith. Sec. 542.001 of the Insurance Code is called the Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act. It applies (with some exceptions) to insurance companies and mutual aid and mutual insurance companies that provide:

    • Life, health and accident insurance
    • Property damage from fire, hail or storms
    • Casualty insurance
    • Burial associations, fraternal benefit organizations
    • And a few other types of policies

    The Act states that insurers cannot engage in the following unfair insurance claim settlement practices:

    • Knowingly misrepresenting pertinent facts about the policy coverage
    • Failing to promptly acknowledge receipt of a claim and acceptance or rejection
    • Failing to adopt reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims
    • Failing to make a good faith effort to arrive at a prompt, fair and equitable settlement when liability is reasonably clear
    • Compelling policyholder to bring a lawsuit to recover the moneyed to them because the insurance company has offered substantially less than the amount the policyholder finally recovers as a result of a lawsuit

    What is the Definition of “Prompt?”

    Section 542.055 defines promptness for standard insurance companies in this way:

    • Receipt of Claim: An insurer should acknowledge receipt of the claim, begin investigating the claim, and request all needed information from the insured not later than 15 days after receipt of the claim. The insurance company can request additional information at a later time if needed to complete its investigation of the claim. 
    • Acceptance or Rejection of Claim: The insurance company shall notify the insured in writing if they are accepting or rejecting the claim not later than 15 days after receipt of all information from the insured. If a claim is rejected, the company must give a reason. 
    • If Arson is Suspected: If the insurance company suspects arson is involved, they shall notify the insured not later than 30 days after receiving all information. 
    • Payment: The insurance company must pay the claim no later than the 5th business day after it informs the insured it will pay on the claim. If the insured has to do something in order to receive payment, then the insurance company has 5 days from that date to make payment.  

    Exceptions

    • If the insurance company can’t decide within the timeline above, it must communicate with the insured why it needs additional time. The insurance company then has another 45 days to arrive at a decision. 
    • In the case of natural disasters, the deadlines are extended an additional 15 days. 
    • Surplus line insurance companies – those that protect against risks a regular insurance company won’t take on – have an extended timeline.

    Penalties for Insurance Company Violations

    If an insurance company delays payment for valid claims for more than 60 days (90 days for life insurance), they may be required to pay the policy holder or beneficiary the amount of the claim plus 18% yearly interest from the date the claim was supposed to be paid. They also must pay reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees if the insured had to hire a lawyer.

    If you’ve been the victim of insurance bad faith and a delayed insurance settlement, talk to a lawyer about your rights. Dallas consumer protection attorneys at the Fell Law Firm can help you. Call 972-450-1418 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.

  • 3 Things That Can Hurt Your Chances of Fighting a Disability Insurance Claim

    Fighting a disability insurance claim denial is hard. The system is set up to favor the insurance company, not the injured person. It takes a skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced ERISA lawyer to guide injured workers through the administrative appeal process and a judicial appeal so they can get the disability insurance they are owed. 

    But a lawyer can only do so much. You need to work with your lawyer to build and protect your case. Mistakes you make along the way can harm your chances in the ERISA appeals process. Make note of these three common mistakes and give yourself the best chance at success. 

    Facebook is NOT Your Friend

    A lot of us spend time every day sharing the minutia of our daily lives with family and friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Usually, we don’t spend all of our time complaining about our aches, pains, and disability. 

    If we went to the grocery store, we don’t say talk about how hard it is to walk from the parking lot. If we took the kids to the beach, we don’t talk about the struggle of getting the kids in and out of the car seat because we can’t lift them. 

    We put on our best face for family and friends, and that’s what the insurance company investigators find when they go online to look for discrepancies in your story. They want to prove that you aren’t really disabled. Don’t give them evidence to prove their case. 

    Your credibility could suffer, and when it comes to disability claims, your credibility is everything. Consider NOT USING social media while you are in the appeals process. 

    Even if you have your privacy settings at Friends Only, or Family Only, there may be a time when a post reaches further than you intend. It’s safest to think of your social media as insecure. 

    Not Ready for Prime Time: Smile for the Surveillance Camera

    Insurance companies have a legal right to conduct surveillance on people they suspect of trying to defraud them of money. It’s uncomfortable, upsetting, and invasive, but they can and will pay someone to follow you, taking pictures and videotaping you while you go about your daily business. 

    Every injured or ill person knows that they have good days and they have bad days. On good days, you want to do things! You want to go for a walk without the walker. You want to go to a restaurant or shopping. You might lift a bag out of the back seat. It’s exactly these times when you may find yourself being filmed. 

    Now is not the time to push yourself to do more than you should be doing. 

    Out of Touch with the Truth

    Many of us have a way of speaking that tends toward exaggeration. In our everyday lives we don’t usually suffer too many consequences from “You always” and “I never.” But when it comes to insurance companies, or the court, exaggerating your symptoms or overstating your disability can backfire. 

    If you “never” leave home without your walker because you are “always” in tremendous pain, what happens when the insurance investigator sees you hanging laundry on the line or leaving a restaurant without a walker? 

    Think realistically about your abilities and consider that the words “sometimes,” “often,” and “rarely” may be a better descriptor. Yes, it’s a picky detail but it’s these little details that add up to or detract from your credibility. If you’ve been unfairly denied long-term disability, fight that claim denial with the help of ERISA attorneys at The Fell Law Firm in Richardson and McKinney, TX. Call 972-450-1418, or contact us online. 

  • Why Did My Insurance Company Cancel My Policy?

    Why Did My Insurance Company Cancel My Policy?

    There’s nothing worse than finding out your insurance policy has been canceled by your insurer. If it’s health insurance, this leaves you with medical bills. If it’s homeowner’s insurance, you may be left on your own to make repairs after a bad storm. 

    There are many reasons, lawful and unlawful, why your insurance company may cancel your policy. Let’s review some of those reasons together to determine what, if anything, you can do to get your coverage back.

    Legal Reasons Why Your Insurance Company May Cancel Your Policy

    One of the most common legal reasons why your insurance company may cancel your policy is your failure to pay your monthly insurance premium. Other reasons may include:

    • Too many claims filed
    • Significant changes in risk
    • Intentional damage to one of your covered assets
    • Fraudulent claims filed

    In most states, the insurer must provide written notice of policy cancelations at least 30 days in advance. This gives you ample time to negotiate continued coverage or find a new insurance policy to help protect you and your assets. You’ll want to do what it takes to avoid a gap in your coverage.

    Bad Faith: Unlawfully Canceling Your Policy

    There are many cases where insurance companies will attempt to save money by canceling policies without a clear reason. This is known as acting in bad faith. Most of the time, this occurs after you submit a claim for legitimate damages. 

    To avoid paying you, your insurer may cancel your policy, stating there are faults that then make your claim invalid. Yet, when asked, they may not be able to clearly define those faults or what you can do to reinstate your policy.

    What Can Be Done About a Wrongful Cancelation?

    Your insurance company cannot legally cancel your policy for any reason that isn’t stated inside of your contract. If they do, they can (and should) be held accountable. First, we recommend calling your insurer to gather more information about the cancelation. 

    Next, consider reaching out to an attorney to help you file an appeal if you wish to reinstate your policy. Or, perhaps your attorney can help you file a lawsuit against your insurer, which may help you recover damages to pay your bills and for the suffering caused by the act of bad faith.

    Has Your Insurance Company Acted in Bad Faith?

    If you believe your insurance company has acted in bad faith or fear losing your insurance due to unfair insurance practices, an attorney can help. To learn more about bad faith, reach out to the attorneys at The Fell Law Firm by calling 972-450-1418  or send us a message.

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  • Watch Out for Bad Faith Practices During the Spring Storm Season

    Spring is officially upon us. And while that means enjoying the sound of birds chirping and basking in the warm sunshine, it also means storm season. Tornadoes, hail, strong winds and lightning can damage your home severely.

    Unfortunately, this is also a prime time for your insurance company to try and deny your home or business damage claim or offer far less than you need for repairs. This is called bad faith and it’s something you should look out for this season.

    How to Spot Bad Faith Insurance Practices

    There are many ways an insurance company can act in bad faith. For example, you may follow the exact steps of filing a claim and receive no response. Or you might be denied coverage for damage that’s listed as covered in your policy.

    Other examples of bad faith include:

    • Failing to communicate changes to your policy relating to what’s covered
    • Failing to acknowledge receipt, denial or approval of your claim
    • Failing to promptly investigate your storm damage claim

    What to Do If You Suspect Your Insurance Is Acting in Bad Faith

    Storm damage can’t wait. If your insurance company fails to act, you must do so instead. If you suspect your insurance company is acting in bad faith, there are some things you can do.

    First, document everything that has occurred between you and your insurance company thus far. When did you file your claim? Why did they deny your claim? Answers to these questions and more can help support your claim in the event you need to take legal action.

    You may also choose to speak to a leader within your insurance company. Some claim denials or failures could be the result of miscommunication or errors. If this doesn’t resolve the matter, we recommend reaching out to a bad faith attorney for help.

    Call the Bad Faith Attorneys at The Fell Law Firm

    If you’re struggling with your insurance company, we’re here to support you. Allow our team to help you fight for your rights. To learn more about bad faith practices or to speak with an attorney, call us at 972-450-1418 or send us a message.

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  • 3 Steps to Take After Your Home or Office Is Vandalized

    There’s nothing quite as frustrating as discovering your home or office has been vandalized. There are many ways you can experience vandalism, including spray painting, tire slashing, window tampering, and even arson. If your home or office is vandalized, there are several things you ought to do.

    3 Steps to Take After You Experience Vandalism

    Vandalism can cause serious damage to your property. For example, broken windows can result in water damage, while slashed tires can result in towing charges, new tires and other costly items. 

    The good news is your homeowner’s insurance or business insurance may cover the damage resulting from vandalism. Yet, you must act fast to ensure proper coverage. Here are the steps you should take next:

    1. File a police report: First, call the police to ensure your file a police report. Your insurance company may require a police report to process your claim. Plus, it allows you to have a complete record of the damage for your records.
    2. Gather evidence of the scene: If you can do so, take some photos of the vandalism around your property. These photos will also be helpful when working with your insurance company.
    3. Call your insurance company: Next, you’ll need to call your insurance company to file a proper claim. They may send an adjuster to your property to accurately assess the damage. If so, do what’s necessary to avoid further property damage, such as covering a broken window, but leave everything else as is.

    Once your claim is processed, you’ll receive payment to help with any necessary repairs—assuming all goes well. Unfortunately, not all claims go smoothly. 

    Bad Faith Insurance and Vandalism Claims

    Some insurance companies fail to uphold the terms in your policy. While most comprehensive policies cover vandalism, your insurance company may try to deny or delay your valid claim. This is an act known as bad faith. Some signs of bad faith include:

    • Failure to investigate the property damage in a reasonable amount of time
    • Failure to send payment after claim approval
    • Failure to approve or deny your vandalism claim in a reasonable amount of time

    If you suspect bad faith, we recommend reaching out to an experienced attorney who can help.

    Reach Out to The Fell Law Firm Today

    You don’t have to go through the insurance claim filing process alone. And if you suspect your insurance company is acting in bad faith, we can help. To learn more about bad faith or to speak with an attorney, give us a call at 972-450-1418 or send us a message.

  • What to Do If You Suspect Your Insurance Company of Bad Faith

    When you purchase an insurance policy, whether it be for your health or to protect your home, you trust the company to protect you. Unfortunately, some insurance companies may often fail to honor the terms of the policy, also known as acting in bad faith.

    Common Examples of Insurance Bad Faith

    There are many ways an insurance company can act in bad faith. For example, your insurance company may deny a claim without giving a valid reason. Other signs of bad faith to look out for include:

    • Delays: Your insurer might fail to deny or pay your claim within a reasonable period on purpose.
    • Zero communication: You have the right to ask your insurer questions about your claims as well as any decision made. If your insurance company doesn’t respond to your calls or fails to inform you of a claim decision, they might be acting in bad faith.
    • Canceled policy: Did you file an insurance claim only to find out your insurer canceled your policy without informing you? This is a definite red flag of bad faith.
    • No investigation: Another telltale sign of bad faith is rejecting your home or auto insurance claim before investigating.

    3 Steps to Take Now If You Suspect Bad Faith

    Do you suspect your insurer is acting in bad faith? If so, there are some necessary steps you must take to receive the compensation you need for your claim.

    1. Document your claim process: Take some time to document what has occurred during the claim process up until this point. For example, who is your contact at your insurance company? What is the reason for their denials thus far? This information will help build your bad faith case.
    2. Try to contact a supervisor or director: Some companies have a specific department that handles claim concerns. Others have a Director of Claims department. Get in contact with someone other than the individual you’ve been speaking with up until now. Communicate your concerns and document what they say in return.
    3. Reach out to an attorney: If you’re unable to get any movement with your claim, reach out to a lawyer. A bad faith attorney will help you receive compensation for your claim by working with your insurance company on your behalf.

    Call the Attorneys at The Fell Law Firm Today

    If you suspect bad faith insurance practices, you shouldn’t have to go through the legal process alone. Allow the experienced attorneys at The Fell Law Firm to help. To learn more about bad faith practices or to speak with an attorney, give us a call at 972-450-1418 or send us a message.

  • How to Handle Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident

    Car accidents are notorious for causing life-changing injuries and expensive medical bills. For example, you might need a hospital stay, oversight in a clinic setting and continued physical therapy. Mounting costs are a source of stress at a time you should be focused on rest and recovery. 

    Allow us to give you some peace of mind by explaining how to handle your bills after a car accident and while you wait for a settlement.

    How Do Your Medical Bills Get Paid in Texas?

    Texas is an at-fault state, so the guilty party is the one who pays your bills. If you aren’t more than 50 percent at-fault for your accident, the other party’s insurance company will be responsible for paying your medical bills and costs associated with property damage.

    Often, the other party’s insurance company doesn’t cover all of your costs. They may also offer a low-ball settlement to try to end negotiations. If this is the case, you must consider reaching out to a personal injury attorney who can help you file a claim. 

    By filing a lawsuit, you may be able to recover a wide range of damages, including:

    • Past and future medical expenses
    • Pain and suffering
    • Physical impairment
    • Lost wages
    • Property damages
    • Loss of use of the vehicle
    • Mental anguish

    What If the Other Party Isn’t Insured?

    If the at-fault party isn’t insured, you can look to your own auto insurance. If you purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, these policies could cover your medical expenses and sometimes property damage, depending on your policy.

    What Should You Do While You Wait for Your Compensation?

    There will be time between your accident and when you receive compensation. It’s important to receive the medical care you require to ensure you’re able to heal. For now, your bills should be sent to your health insurance or auto insurance company, depending on your available coverage. 

    If you receive a bill in the mail, make sure your attorney has a copy. You should also keep a copy for your records, as well as any receipts of payment. To help with the burden, check your hospital or clinic for payment plan options or reduced service rates. These can be a great help while you wait for payments to come through.

    Call The Fell Law Firm Today for Experienced Advice

    The Fell Law Firm in Dallas helps many car accident victims receive the compensation they deserve. We can help you too. Learn more about our legal services or talk to an attorney about your potential case by calling us at 972-450-1418or send us a message.