How Much Can You Sue an Insurance Company for Bad Faith in Oklahoma?

When you file an insurance claim in good faith, you have a reasonable expectation that the insurance carrier will honor the terms of their policy and offer a fair settlement. Unfortunately, not all insurance carriers will uphold their responsibilities, and some act in bad faith to take advantage of injured claimants. If this happens to you, it’s natural to wonder how much you can sue an insurance company for bad faith in Oklahoma.

How Much Can You Sue an Insurance Company for Bad Faith in Oklahoma?

A civil claim for insurance bad faith in Oklahoma will require proving that your original claim was valid, but the insurance company failed or refused to comply with the terms of its policy and acted unethically toward you, denying you fair compensation for your covered damages under the terms of its policy. You need to hire a bad-faith insurance lawyer to have the greatest chance of success with this difficult case.

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of insurance claims in the United States. In 2023 alone, the National Safety Council reported more than five million injuries requiring medical consultations from motor vehicle accidents, and each state has different rules for resolving these cases. In Oklahoma, drivers are required to have auto insurance that includes liability coverage for a fatal injury and property damage.

When a driver causes an accident injuring another driver, the injured party has the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. While the insurance carrier has the right and the responsibility to investigate the claim before offering a settlement, they must do so honestly and in good faith. Bad faith insurance happens in various ways: 

• An insurance claim adjuster may intentionally misrepresent elements of a policy in their attempts to justify a lowball settlement offer or claim denial.
• The insurance company may intentionally refuse to respond to a claim in a timely manner, a common high-pressure tactic used to coerce injured claimants to accept the first lowball settlement offer out of desperation.
• An insurance company representative may outright lie about elements of the policy or attempt to twist a claimant’s words against them. It is imperative to hire a lawyer before attempting to negotiate a settlement with any insurance carrier.
• The insurance company could fail to provide a reasonable explanation as to why a claim has been denied.
• Some insurance claim adjusters will use threats and intimidation against injured claimants. For example, an adjuster may threaten denial if the claimant does not accept a lowball settlement offer.
• Failure or refusal to provide necessary documentation can also be an example of bad faith.

These are just a few examples of the unethical tactics an insurance carrier might attempt against an injured claimant. While it’s ideal to hire a lawyer before filing your claim to reduce your chance of encountering such behavior, you need to hire a bad-faith insurance lawyer right away if you have already filed your claim and have been met with any such unethical actions.

Your Oklahoma bad-faith insurance attorney can determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit against the insurance carrier. If so, you may be eligible to claim compensation beyond the coverage you initially sought with your original claim. It’s possible to recover compensation for the emotional distress the insurance company has caused, compensation for your legal expenses, and you could also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion.

Ultimately, you could be eligible to claim substantial compensation if you are the victim of any type of insurance bad faith in Oklahoma. The team at Fulmer Sill empowers injured people in their legal proceedings, and sometimes this requires leveling the playing field between an injured victim and an insurance company with a robust in-house legal department. Reach out to our firm today to learn how we can help with your case.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Bad-Faith Insurance in Oklahoma?

To prove bad-faith insurance in Oklahoma, you must first prove that your original claim was valid, and then you must show that the insurance company failed to meet its professional responsibilities and engaged in some type of unethical behavior. Your Oklahoma bad-faith insurance lawyer will know how to obtain any documentation and evidence you need to prove the truth of your case.

What Is the Value of My Bad-Faith Insurance Claim in Oklahoma?

The potential value of your bad-faith insurance claim in Oklahoma depends on several factors. You may be able to recover compensation for the contractual damages you sought with the initial claim, but it is also possible to seek additional compensation for emotional distress, legal expenses, and any other damages caused by the defendant’s bad faith. It is also possible that the defendant will be forced to pay you punitive damages as well.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Bad-Faith Insurance Lawyer?

You need to hire a bad-faith insurance lawyer to have a better chance of success with your case. Confronting any insurance company with a civil suit is a daunting task, and it is imperative to have skilled legal counsel on your side to ensure the greatest possible chance of success. Find an attorney who has proven experience handling these cases and consult with them right away to increase your chance of winning your case.

What Does It Cost to Hire an Oklahoma Bad-Faith Insurance Attorney?

The cost to hire an Oklahoma bad-faith insurance attorney depends on the attorney’s billing policy. If you are filing any type of personal injury case in Oklahoma, the team at Fulmer Sill accepts these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you are only charged a fee if and when we win your case. If we cannot secure a recovery for you, there is no fee.

The attorneys at Fulmer Sill are ready to provide the compassionate and results-driven legal counsel you need for your insurance bad-faith claim in Oklahoma. If you are wondering how much you can sue an insurance company for bad faith in Oklahoma, the answer to this depends on the specific details of your individual case. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can help.