- Get a Free Consultation
One of the most stressful and frustrating aspects of being involved in an accident is dealing with the insurance company. They often play hardball with personal injury claimants to save themselves money. Some companies even use bad faith tactics to wrongfully deny claims or make navigating the process virtually impossible. These tactics aim to make you give up or settle for less compensation than you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
At Marks & Harrison, we know how to fight against insurance companies’ aggressive and bad-faith strategies. Our Washington DC insurance bad faith lawyers can help you by pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries and helping you rebuild your life following an accident. If you have suffered injuries in Washington DC, and the insurance company is delaying your claim, giving you the runaround, or issuing unfair denials, contact us for a free consultation. The sooner you do, the sooner we can help you fight back.
Why You Need Our Lawyers for an Insurance Bad Faith Claim
Don’t make the mistake of negotiating with an adjuster by yourself. Certain insurance companies use bad faith strategies to wear down and frustrate vulnerable accident victims. Through these bad faith practices, they try to gain an advantage and force accident victims to accept a low settlement offer or simply quit the fight. You need the leverage from hiring an experienced bad-faith insurance lawyer.
At Marks & Harrison, our skilled insurance bad faith attorneys understand how insurance companies play the game. We know how to use the law to hold insurers responsible for engaging in bad-faith acts with policyholders. We will be ready to work hard for you and pursue just compensation for all your injuries and losses. We have been representing accident victims since 1911 and have recovered millions of dollars on their behalf. Let our highly skilled team help you manage your insurance claim.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith in Washington DC?
An insurance policy is a contract between the policyholder and the insurance provider. The insurance contract outlines the responsibilities of the insurer and policyholder and the rights afforded to anyone with a claim on that policy. By law, insurance companies must act in good faith with policyholders and other affected parties. So, they must act fairly and reasonably and comply with the contract.
Bad faith insurance means a company engages in unfair or unreasonable practices to intentionally avoid contractual obligations. This conduct violates the company’s duty to a policyholder or claimant and can be considered dishonest or deceptive.
What Are Common Insurance Bad Faith Tactics?
Insurance companies are for-profit companies that may prioritize money over the well-being of accident victims. Some companies or insurance adjusters are master manipulators, making it hard for accident victims to recognize bad-faith insurance practices.
Here are some signs that an insurance company might be acting in bad faith:
- Inadequately investigating an accident claim
- Unjustifiably denying a claim
- Unjustifiably undervaluing an accident claim
- Failing to affirm or deny coverage within a reasonable time
- Refusing to supply reasonable explanations for denials or valuations
- Refusing to defend you against a claim or lawsuit
- Refusing attempts to discuss your claim
- Refusing to defend a policyholder against a claim or lawsuit
- Using threatening language or statements.
If an insurance company engages in these or other behaviors, you should not wait to seek help from a skilled bad-faith insurance lawyer.
What Sort of Damages Are Available If Insurance Bad Faith Can Be Proven?
Working with an experienced attorney is the best way to pursue the compensation you deserve in an insurance bad faith case.
Although the value of your case depends on numerous factors, an insurance bad faith attorney can help you pursue:
- Compensation from your original claim
- Third-party damages
- Consequential harm resulting from the bad faith practices of the insurance company
- Emotional distress.
How Do I File a Bad Faith Insurance Claim?
Filing a bad-faith insurance lawsuit can be complicated. You should attempt it with the help of a skilled attorney with experience with taking on insurance companies. For instance, an attorney can help you file a complaint with the District of Columbia Department of Insurance and Securities or pursue a lawsuit against the insurance company.
It is essential to know that a time limit known as the statute of limitations applies to bad faith insurance claims. In other words, you must assert your basic policyholder rights and take legal action against the insurance company for its unfair treatment of you within a specific legal time frame, or the case can face dismissal. The law gives you only three years to file a bad-faith insurance lawsuit.
An attorney at Marks & Harrison can help you understand your legal rights and answer any questions about your legal rights and options. They can gather the evidence it takes to prove a bad-faith insurance case. They can also file your claims on your behalf, negotiate a settlement, and prepare your case for court if a trial is necessary. They will make sure insurance companies deal fairly with you.
Take a step back and avoid engaging further with an insurer who uses bad-faith insurance practices. Instead, let a Washington DC insurance bad faith lawyer fight on your behalf, giving you the time and space to focus on healing from your injuries.
How Our Washington DC Bad Faith Insurance Attorneys Can Help You
You have legal rights. An experienced lawyer with Marks & Harrison can help you assert them. We have a highly skilled and resourceful team of more than 30 attorneys and 100 support personnel, many of whom have an insider’s knowledge of the insurance industry. We can stand up to the insurance company and demand it treat you with the respect and good faith you deserve.
Don’t wait another moment. Contact us today at Marks & Harrison for a free consultation about the specific facts of your case.
