Mark Casto | November 15, 2024 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus Georgia
GEICO is the third-largest auto insurance provider in the country and has written policies calling for $38.9 billion in premiums. These numbers indicate that if you are involved in a collision, you might need to file a claim with GEICO, whether you’re initiating a claim with your own insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
If you were recently involved in a car accident and you have to deal with GEICO, it is helpful for you to know what you are getting into.
GEICO Claims Adjusters Are Not Your Friends
After you report the accident to GEICO, the company will assign a claims adjuster. This person has a singular goal: to resolve your claim for as little as possible. GEICO frequently denies claims or offers low settlements.
The adjuster may feign concern about your injuries and say something like, “We’re glad you weren’t seriously injured,” and get you to agree. They may later try to use this statement against you, alleging that you did not suffer serious injuries.
The GEICO claims adjuster might send a medical release form “for your convenience” or to “expedite your claim” but instead use it to try to find an old accident to blame your current injuries on.
With every interaction with the insurance adjuster, keep in mind that they work for GEICO, not you.
GEICO Will Try To Get a Recorded Statement To Use Against You
Insurance companies often request that claimants provide a recorded statement, but you don’t have to. In fact, it’s probably in your best interest not to agree to give a recorded statement as part of a GEICO insurance claim.
Adjusters use these recorded statements against claimants, such as:
- Asking how you are, getting a typical response of “fine,” and saying you weren’t injured because you reported that you were “fine”
- Asking you questions about your injuries before you’re aware of their full extent to undermine the severity of your harm
- Asking questions to try to find grounds to allege that you were partially or wholly responsible for the accident
- Trying to get you to lock in certain facts to show they are inconsistent with the evidence later
You should avoid agreeing to a recorded statement or discussing details of the accident claim without legal advice.
GEICO Might Ignore Your Medical Bills
GEICO insurance claims often result in lower settlements than the documented damages justify. This is because GEICO may use a computer program to estimate what customary and ordinary medical expenses should cost, disregarding the amounts you were actually billed. This can result in accident victims being offered less medical expense coverage than they owe.
GEICO Wants You To Accept Their First Offer
GEICO wants to settle cases for as little as possible. When they don’t have a viable reason to outright deny your claim, they may try to settle it with a lowball offer. They want you to take this offer so they can close the claim and escape further liability.
Insurance adjusters might try various tactics to get you to accept this offer, such as promising to expedite your claim. This could sound attractive to you when you’re looking at a pile of medical bills and mounting expenses due to missed work.
The adjuster might even send you a GEICO insurance claim check as a way to entice you to resolve your claim. However, this check likely has a statement saying that it is payment to release any and all claims you have against the company or its insured. Or, the adjuster might claim that this is the final and best offer.
It is usually not in your best interest to accept the first offer. Offers typically go up after negotiating, not down. And, if you really want to know what your claim is worth, it’s best to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and give you a better idea of its value.
Your GEICO Claim Might Be Worth More Than You Think
One of the reasons why you don’t want to settle too hastily is that accident claims are often more valuable than victims realize.
Once you accept an offer, you waive your right to pursue further legal action and forfeit any additional compensation you might have been entitled to. Therefore, you want to ensure that your settlement properly compensates you for your losses.
Your accident claim could provide financial compensation for:
- Medical bills you have accumulated because of the accident
- Ongoing medical expenses, including rehabilitation and therapy
- Future medical expenses, including surgeries, specialist visits, medication, and medical devices
- Current and future lost wages you incur while you were seeking medical treatment or recovering from your injuries
- Reduced earning capacity if you suffered permanent disabilities that impair your long-term earning potential
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including alternative transportation, help with household responsibilities, and medical equipment
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Let us examine your case and determine its true value before you agree to accept a settlement.
GEICO Might Discourage You from Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Some GEICO claims adjusters are so aggressive that they might try to dissuade you from hiring a car accident lawyer. You should be very hesitant about listening to this piece of “advice.”
You have the right to hire an attorney and get legal counsel. And, when the stakes are so high, you should exercise this right. Insurance claims adjusters want to minimize your recovery, while personal injury lawyers want to maximize it.
We can discuss why it’s important to hire a car accident lawyer during a free case review. Call today to learn more.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus car accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808, Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030