Ask anyone who has had to make an insurance claim and many will tell you that they would rather have had a root canal. You pay a lot in premiums for your car and house and other valuable things that you own, but sometimes, when you really need them, the insurance company can make things much more stressful.
Remember that insurance companies have an army of lawyers just waiting to fight you should you have a claim. If you have a personal injury claim, the stakes can be very high, and this is why you need a good personal injury attorney in your corner.
Before you even talk to an attorney with your insurance company, it is good to have your own attorney so that you will know what to expect. It is important to know your rights before sitting down with an attorney from an insurance company.
It is not a level playing field; the two sides are held to different standards. However, it would seem that most juries know that there is insurance involved.
Here’s a good example: You are in a car accident and you’re involved in a lawsuit against the other driver. The fact that the other motorist did or did not have insurance would not be admissible at trial.
In the state of Alabama, a plaintiff’s lawyer may not bring up in trial the fact that the client has insurance coverage through State Farm, Alpha, GEICO, or whomever. But the insurance company is allowed to bring up the plaintiff’s insurance with BlueCross/Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.
There are only two ways to get an insurance company to pay you: one, they agree to pay your damages, or two, you file a lawsuit, maintain the claim, and take your claim before a judge and jury.
If you need legal help, please consult our Online Legal Directory to find an attorney in your area.