San Francisco Auto Accident Lawyers/Attorneys

When San Francisco car accidents occur and people are injured as a result, many people assume that the aftermath involves the relatively simple process of filing the appropriate insurance claims and collecting the settlement funds.  Unfortunately, this is rarely how things play out, and more often than not people who are in this position need to obtain the help of experienced San Francisco car accident lawyers.  Below is a brief introduction to the typical role of insurance companies in these matters.

Insurance Companies are For-Profit Corporations

Before discussing the specific role and common tactics of insurance companies in the aftermath of San Francisco car accidents, it should be noted that insurance companies are for-profit corporate enterprises.  This matters because for-profit corporations owe their ultimate duty to their shareholders.  Therefore, insurance companies that make a habit of paying out a high amount of claims may suffer in terms of their profit and stock value in the long run. 

The Insurance Adjuster

The first party that someone who has been injured in a San Francisco car accident will likely hear from is the insurance adjuster.  The insurance adjuster’s role in this type of a matter is to haggle with a person who has been injured in order to agree upon a settlement of the claim.  However, insurance adjusters, once again, owe their loyalty to their employer and not to their policyholders or to someone who has been injured.  This can lead to a difficult negotiation process for many reasons and because of the use of many common tactics.

Common Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance company professionals are skilled at limiting their liability, which is one of the reasons they enjoy such a high degree of profitability.  One of the most common tactics used by insurance companies is to provide a low-ball initial offer that basically covers a person’s medical costs. 

Over time, that offer may slowly rise, but eventually the matter could face a problem with the statute of limitations.  At this point, insurance companies will not provide a new offer in hopes that the injured person will either accept their final offer or fail to properly file a California personal injury lawsuit.

How San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

However, if someone who has been injured in a crash involves the help of experienced San Francisco car accident lawyers, the entire process of working out a settlement with an insurance company changes.  That’s because insurance professionals understand that an attorney will not hesitate to file a lawsuit if necessary, forcing the insurance company to incur the costs of defending the claim.

Therefore, if you or someone you love has been harmed in a crash, you need to seek the help of San Francisco car accident lawyers who understand how to deal with insurance companies in order to either expedite the settlement process or to file a lawsuit if necessary.  Contact the Scarlett Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.