Questions for an Insurance Lawyer
What are the most frequently asked questions for an insurance lawyer?
How do I know if I need an insurance attorney?
The easy answer is that you should always consult with an attorney when dealing with an insurance company. Insurance companies want to make money. One of the ways they make money is by keeping their costs down. Insurance companies have adjusters, attorneys, and staff whose jobs are to undervalue or deny claims. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a lawyer to represent you.
Insurance adjusters:
- Attend classes to protect the interests of their employer (insurance company).
- Are required to take continuing education classes to stay up to date on areas of law.
- Have staff attorneys available around the clock.
- Settle claims for as little money as possible, or deny claims.
- Are professionally trained and skilled in negotiating.
- Can be compensated based on how much money they save the insurance company.
- Can take advantage of people who don’t understand their rights in insurance issues.
- Know insurance policies are written in a language few people understand.
- Handle claims all day while claimants typically have little to no experience.
- Can be poorly trained or don’t do their job properly.
Hiring an insurance lawyer who understands Texas law will represent your best interest during negotiations with adjusters, the insurance company’s lawyers, or staff.
What is my claim worth?
It is impossible to accurately estimate the value of a case on an initial consultation. Any attorney who suggests that your case is worth a certain amount is not being honest with you. They are simply giving you a number to make you feel good in the moment. There are too many variables that can affect the outcome of a case for it to be determined at the initial consultation. Some of these variables include lack of initial information, the insurance company’s position, policy language, claims for exemplary damages, exclusions, and limitations, and the potential outcome of the case in front of a Judge or Jury. Our job is to assess and advise upon our client’s claim repeatedly during the pendency of your claim.
Is my claim worth getting an attorney involved?
In most cases, the answer is yes. Talking to an attorney can help determine if your claim is worth hiring an attorney. Most attorneys who handle insurance disputes will not charge for an initial consultation, so there is no financial cost in getting an initial assessment. Even if the insurance claim is for a relatively small amount of money, it can be worth pursuing because insurance laws are written to protect policyholders who are taken advantage of by their insurance company. These laws can allow policyholders to recover more than the amount due in the claim, including attorney fees, court costs, and other amounts, depending on the circumstances. Therefore, it is often a wise decision to consult an attorney about your insurance claim.
How long will my case take?
It is difficult to say exactly how long your case will take, as it could take anywhere from a few days to more than a few years. Generally, cases are resolved within weeks or months, but a resolution could be delayed if the insurer isn’t willing to make a meaningful effort at pre-suit resolution. If a lawsuit is required, it necessarily lengthens the amount of time it likely will take to resolve your claim and can also be at the schedule of a court. Our firm always tries to expedite resolution pre- and post-suit.
What are my chances of winning?
It is uncertain what the outcome of your case will be, so an attorney cannot guide you until they have more information. Keep in mind that the vast majority of cases do not go to trial and are, therefore, resolved by negotiated settlement.
In the end, both sides assess the strengths and weaknesses of their case and analyze the risks inherent in continuing to trial. Your chances of winning at trial depend on the facts of your case and the law that applies to them. The decision to settle or go to trial is based on each side’s assessment of their chances of winning in court.
How much will a lawsuit cost?
A case that settles quickly is less expensive. Cases that go all the way to trial will be the most expensive. The answer to the question “How much will a lawsuit cost me?” is – it depends. Costs can range from under a thousand dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars depending on various factors. The cost of a case will depend on the length of the case, how quickly it settles, and whether or not it goes to trial. Most lawyers that take insurance cases, however, charge a contingent fee, which means if you don’t recover, you don’t owe your lawyer for fees or case costs.
