While lawsuits are often associated with personal injury claims, it’s actually not the first step in the legal process when a victim is seeking compensation from the at-fault party. Before you can ask the courts to intervene, you must try to settle your case with the defendant’s insurance company. As an example, if you had a slip and fall at a restaurant, you would file an injury claim with the business owner’s insurance company. If you and the insurer are unable to agree on the amount you are owed, you can file a lawsuit and prepare for the possibility of taking your case to trial.
If you’ve been injured from an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, you have probably submitted a claim by now and received a settlement offer from Indian Harbor Insurance Company. Founded in 1992, Indian Harbor is a provider of property and casualty insurance for some of the world’s biggest corporations. This company is responsible for handling claims under Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy, which compensates accident victims for bodily injury and property damage.
Unfortunately, an insurance company is a profit-driven business, so you shouldn’t be surprised if the initial offer on your case is much lower than what you had hoped for. However, there is a way to overcome this obstacle and recover a settlement that’s appropriate for the harm you’ve suffered. To learn how to handle a low offer to settle a case from Lyft insurance, keep reading. If you have questions or concerns about anything we’ve presented in this article, contact us to speak with a Lyft accident injury lawyer.
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What are my Rights if Indian Harbor Offers me a Low Settlement?
This is clearly a frustrating experience, and right now, you may be tempted to call the insurance adjuster to let them know exactly how you feel. However, we urge you to resist calling them, and instead, realize that this is exactly what happens to most people that file an insurance claim with Indian Harbor. Remember – the company’s loyalty is to their client, which is Lyft. No matter how much the insurance rep sympathizes with you over the phone, their ultimate goal is to close your case as fast as possible for the lowest amount.
So, what can you do to ensure that you receive the payment you deserve from a Lyft accident injury claim? In the next section, we will go over the steps you should take to counter the insurance company’s offer and fight for the settlement you are entitled to.
How Do I Handle a Low Settlement Offer on my Lyft Case?
Once you determine that the initial offer from Indian Harbor is unacceptable, you should prepare to make a counteroffer in writing. There’s no law that prevents you from speaking with the insurance adjuster over the phone. But this can be a dangerous move, as the insurance company will listen very carefully for anything they can use against you. That’s why we recommend a formal letter to the company to explain the following:
- A statement refusing the insurance company’s offer and why it’s not acceptable.
- Arguments against any inaccurate or false information in the insurance company’s offer letter.
- The amount of damages that you are seeking.
- Documentation / evidence to support your compensation request (medical records, witness statements, photos, proof of lost wages, etc.)
You can work on the letter by yourself, but consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer is in your best interest. An attorney is particularly helpful in calculating a fair amount of compensation, especially for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Your lawyer can also help you obtain the necessary evidence to prove how seriously you’ve been injured and the losses you’ve suffered as a result.
Our law firm is with you every step of the way in your journey to recovery. With our many years of experience in rideshare accident claims, you can depend on us to bring you the highest settlement possible from a Lyft car accident injury claim.
Will I have to File a Lawsuit?
The goal is to resolve an accident claim without having to file a lawsuit, but that may not be an option if the insurance company is unwilling to work towards a fair settlement. It’s important to note that the negotiation process can take several months to over one year, depending on the number of offers and counteroffers between you and Lyft’s insurance company. Still, there is a strict statute of limitations (2 years) on how long you have to sue for your injuries and/or property damage from a car accident. Thus, if negotiations have dragged on beyond a certain period of time, filing a lawsuit may be the only option.
The choice to settle your case with the insurer or proceed to a lawsuit is always up to you. However, our job is to educate you on your rights and help you make the best choice based on the circumstances. If you’d like to discuss the legal actions that are available to you, please give us a call at our office.
Can I File a Complaint against Indian Harbor Insurance Company?
Depending on where you are in the legal process, you may have good reason to believe that Indian Harbor is engaging in bad faith. This means that the company is acting with the intent to deny you payment or pressure you into accepting a low settlement. If you are in this situation, you have the option to file a complaint with the California Department of Insurance. This governing agency for insurance companies in California investigates acts of insurance bad faith, such as:
- Failing to conclude accident investigations in a timely manner.
- Denying a claim or denying specific damages requested by the claimant without a legitimate reason.
- Failing to indemnify, i.e., not paying the client within the amount of time that was agreed upon by both sides (or according to the terms of the insurance policy).
- Using stall tactics and other methods to hold up the legal process or strong-arm the claimants into accepting a low settlement.
Most bad faith insurance claims are resolved by the Department of Insurance, especially if you have an attorney that’s assisting you with the complaint. If necessary, we can also file an insurance bad faith lawsuit on your behalf. For more information on the ways we can assist you, call us anytime to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
My Lawyer Thinks I Should Settle, but I Disagree – What can I Do?
Are you working with a lawyer already, but you have issues with how they are handling your case? Do you feel like you are being pressured to settle when you’re not sure about the settlement offer from Lyft’s insurance company? Our lawyers are happy to help with a free second opinion on your active accident claim. We can assist you with any question on your mind, such as:
- Am I getting the best possible offer from Indian Harbor Insurance?
- What are my rights if my lawyer isn’t returning my calls or emails?
- What can I do if I feel like it’s taking too long to settle my case?
- Can I switch lawyers if I’m dissatisfied with my current law firm?
For some claimants, finding a new lawyer may be the best option if there are clear signs of incompetence or lack of dedication from an attorney. Whether this is true in your case remains to be seen, so please take the opportunity of scheduling a second opinion with one of our attorneys. The consultation is completely free no matter what you decide, so there’s nothing to lose by taking some time to learn about your rights and legal options.
Contact the Car Accident Injury Lawyers of Normandie
Our law firm is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so don’t hesitate to give us a call. We understand your need to resolve your claim and move forward with your life. With that in mind, our lawyers are more than ready for the challenge of fighting for your rights and bringing you every penny of the compensation you deserve.
The personal injury lawyers of Normandie have decades of experience in the recovery of car accident settlements, including rideshare accident claims against Lyft and Uber. We are confident in our ability to secure your payment, which is why you will be offered free legal services under the Zero Fee Guarantee. The only way we get paid is by winning your case and receiving our fees directly from the defendant as a part of your compensation award.
To schedule a free case review with a Lyft accident injury attorney, contact our office at your earliest convenience.
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