Elk City Bad-Faith Insurance Lawyer

Elk City Bad-Faith Insurance Attorney

When you are hurt in a car accident on Route 66 or I-40, filing an auto insurance claim is likely to be your first option for recovering your damages. You could also face an injury claim after an injury at work if you file for workers’ compensation benefits. When an insurance company fails to handle a claim appropriately, you will need the help of an Elk City bad-faith insurance lawyer to help you resolve the situation and get the compensation you deserve.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Bad-Faith Insurance Claims in Elk City, OK

The team at Fulmer Sill believes in empowering injured people in their legal proceedings, and this often requires leveling the playing field between the average person and an insurance company that attempts to disregard the rules of processing a claim. An Elk City personal injury lawyer can represent you in the insurance claim filing process and resolve any issues you encounter, including bad faith.

Bad faith happens when an insurance company in Elk City attempts to undermine the injured claimant, hoping to take advantage of them to avoid paying the claim or settling for as little as possible. While an insurance company has the right (and the responsibility) to investigate a claim, it must do so and process the claim according to the terms of the policy and all applicable laws.

It’s a good idea to hire a bad-faith insurance lawyer before an insurance company devalues or denies your claim. Once an insurance company sees that you have legal representation, they will be far less likely to attempt any type of bad-faith handling of your claim. However, if you have already filed a claim and encountered bad faith, it’s crucial to consult an Elk City bad-faith insurance lawyer at your first opportunity.

Building Your Bad-Faith Insurance Claim in Elk City

Insurance is essentially an unavoidable part of American life. For example, the National Safety Council reported that there were more than five million medically consulted injuries from vehicle crashes throughout the United States in 2023, and insurance is typically the first option for recovering from an accident in Oklahoma. Insurance is a paid promise that the insurer will compensate for certain damages after a covered event, such as a car accident.

The insurance policy dictates what damages can be covered and how much compensation the insurance company will provide. A policyholder usually has the option to purchase additional coverage or coverage that extends beyond a bare minimum policy, but they will pay a higher premium to maintain this coverage. The amount of coverage you purchase is ultimately up to you, but it’s a good idea to find a balance of affordability and coverage.

When you file your claim, the insurance company may ask for additional information to process the claim, but it’s possible for an insurance company representative to engage in unethical bad-faith practices in their efforts to justify denying or devaluing your claim. They might intentionally misrepresent elements of a policy or attempt to use your own words against you, so it’s vital to have legal counsel on your side for all of these interactions.

Your Elk City bad-faith insurance lawyer can help you document all evidence for your case, file a claim with your state’s insurance department if necessary, and build a cohesive civil suit against the insurance company. Success with this case could not only yield compensation for the damages you sought with the claim, but also additional damages to reflect their mishandling of the claim. Reach out to Fulmer Sill today to learn how we can help with your case.

FAQs

What Are Common Examples of Bad Faith From Insurance Companies?

A few common examples of bad faith from insurance companies include unreasonable delays in responding to a claim or paying a settlement, failure to notify a claimant about important details of the policy, unfair denial of a claim without just cause, failure or refusal to investigate a claim, or making an unreasonably low settlement offer, hoping that the claimant will not know how to respond.

Can I Sue an Insurance Company for Bad Faith in Oklahoma?

Yes, it is possible for you to sue an insurance company for bad faith in Oklahoma if you can prove they intentionally mishandled the claim in some way, engaged in any unethical practices in handling the claim, or refused to honor the terms of the policy. If you suspect that an insurer has acted in bad faith, it is crucial to hire a bad-faith insurance lawyer right away so they can start building your case.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim in an Insurance Bad-Faith Case?

The compensation you can claim in an insurance bad-faith case could include the damages you originally sought to cover with the claim, as well as compensation for the emotional distress the insurance company caused. In some cases, plaintiffs are able to recover their attorneys’ fees and can also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion.

Why Should I Hire a Bad-Faith Insurance Lawyer?

You should hire a bad-faith insurance lawyer because confronting a large insurance company without legal counsel on your side is unlikely to yield positive results. When you have an experienced attorney representing you, it significantly increases your chance of reaching a fair result in your case and holding the insurance company accountable for their unethical handling of your claim. You are also more likely to maximize your compensation with their help.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Elk City Bad-Faith Insurance Lawyer?

The cost to hire an Elk City bad-faith insurance lawyer depends on the lawyer’s billing policy. At Fulmer Sill, we accept personal injury cases with contingency fee agreements, meaning we will only charge our client a fee if and when we win their case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or case award, and if we are unable to obtain compensation for our client for any reason, there is no fee at all.

The team at Fulmer Sill empowers injured people in their legal proceedings, and we know how to confront insurance companies that have failed to uphold their professional obligations and acted in bad faith. If you believe you have grounds to file such a case, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with an Elk City bad-faith insurance lawyer. We look forward to representing you.