Dealing with Car Insurance Companies

Personal Injury Lawyers Who Know How to Get Results

The process seems simple. You've been hurt in a car accident. The insurance company pays for the damages. But it is never that simple. Insurance companies regularly dispute claims. Too often, denied insurance claims are a part of the compensation recovery process. They often offer less than full compensation. And if they can, they will likely try to avoid paying you altogether.

The Omaha car accident lawyers at Ausman Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. know the games insurance companies play. That's because car insurance attorneys Jason Ausman and Michelle Epstein used to work in the insurance industry. This gives them a unique insight into the insurance claims process. They have dealt with claims on behalf of the insurance company. They know how claims are valued. They know the arguments insurance companies use to justify lowball settlements.

They now put this knowledge to work for you. Jason and Michelle know how to build a strong case that the insurance company can't ignore. And they know how to respond to arguments from the insurance company, including:

• Your injuries were not from your crash. The insurance company may claim you were hurt before your accident. As a result, you would not be eligible to receive compensation for your accident. We can work with doctors to document your injuries and recover evidence from the accident scene that proves you were hurt in your crash.
• You were partially to blame for your accident. Both Nebraska and Iowa have comparative fault laws. This means that if you are found partially to blame for your accident, you will receive less compensation. And if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you will not be eligible to receive any compensation at all. We conduct our own investigation into the case to establish that the other driver's negligence was to blame.
• Their first offer is the best they can do. Insurance companies commonly undervalue claims and make a lowball settlement offer. They're hoping you'll just take it and go away. We determine the true value of your claim, including any future treatment or care your injuries will require. Then we demand that amount.

How does the insurance company determine fault in a car accident?

Insurance companies conduct accident investigations to determine who is at fault. However, they are not seeking the truth so much as they are looking to protect their bottom line – which means reasons to reduce or reject your claim. Therefore, you should never talk to the other driver’s insurance company.

During their investigation, the insurance company will collect evidence like your Nebraska Driver’s Crash Report and accident medical records. They’ll analyze it, make a fault determination, and apply Nebraska’s comparative negligence laws to the claim. This means responsibility for the crash is divided among all those involved. The at-fault driver pays for the injuries, but compensation is reduced by the victim’s percentage contribution to the accident. So, for example, if the injured victim of a car accident were awarded $500,000 in damages, but they were 20 percent at fault, compensation would be reduced by 20 percent to $400,000.

Our auto insurance lawyers protect the rights of injured car accident victims. We negotiate fault with the insurance company with the goal of securing maximum compensation for your injuries.

Will insurance pay my medical bills after a car accident?

In theory, yes. Nebraska is a “fault” state. That means the at-fault driver is liable for your injuries. This includes compensation for your past, current, and future medical procedures, medication, medical equipment, physical therapy, and other health care costs. You also deserve compensation for lost wages, and, if the situation applies, diminished earning potential, as well as pain and suffering, loss of quality and enjoyment of life, and other costs.

Our Omaha car accident claims lawyers understand the tremendous loss and pain experienced by crash victims and their loved ones. We understand that the negative financial, emotional, and physical effects are immense. We know all the ways you should be compensated. Our car insurance attorneys are relentless in pursuing justice and compensation for you.

We know how insurance companies work

Our goal is to get you the maximum compensation possible. That's why our car insurance attorneys fight any attempts by insurance companies to pay you less. When they see that we have built a strong case proving the other driver was negligent, we are usually able to negotiate a settlement that works for you. But if the insurance company won't negotiate, we will fight your case in court.

If you've been injured in a car accident, contact us for a free consultation. Don't delay. Waiting can give the insurance company an advantage. Call 402-933-8140 right now and find out what we can do for you.