If an at-fault driver's insurer offers you a settlement amount that's way below what your claim is really worth, contact an auto accident attorney before you accept it. Although it doesn't pertain to every insurance company, some insurers may act in bad faith when it comes to honoring insurance claims and settlements. In a number of cases, the insurers only want to pay as little as possible to save their companies money. If you accept the low settlement amount without first consulting with an attorney, you may end up coming out pocket to pay your medical expenses. Here's how bad faith cases work and what an accident lawyer may do to help you.

What Does Bad Faith Mean?

When an insurance company or its adjuster does something to undermine your insurance claim, they're acting in bad faith. The insurer generally offers a low settlement amount and refuses to negotiate any other offers with you. If you insist on negotiating a new offer because you consider the amount too low or unfair, the insurer may engage in unacceptable behavior to bully you into accepting their offer.

For example, the insurance company may outright lie and say it's your fault for the accident when it clearly isn't, or the insurer may bribe witnesses to change their stories about what they saw during your accident. A bad faith insurer may also say that your injuries aren't as serious as you claim, even if you have medical documents that state otherwise. If you continue to pursue a better settlement amount, the insurer may outright deny your claim.

The issues above are just a few things a bad faith insurer may do to keep you from receiving a proper settlement for your injuries. One of the best things you can do in a bad faith claim case is hire an attorney. 

How Can an Attorney Assist You?

An accident lawyer may do a number of things to help you win your case, including composing and sending a bad faith letter to the insurer. The letter may state why you consider the settlement amount is unfair and the amount you do consider fair. You may also list the actions you consider acts of bad faith, as well as the extent of your injuries and medical expenses. An attorney may discuss what the letter should contain when they consult with you.

If the insurer ignores the letter or doesn't respond, an attorney may take your case to court. Because bad faith cases often take time to win, an auto accident attorney may investigate the insurer and its adjusters to find out if the company has a history of bad faith claims. If so, a lawyer may submit their findings to the court as a part of your case. 

If you need to learn more about bad faith claims or need representation, contact an auto accident lawyer today, like http://daglawteam.com or a similar site.