Brian White | October 10, 2023 | Car Accidents
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Houston, TX, there’s a good chance you’ll have to deal with GEICO. The company is one of the most popular auto insurance companies in the U.S. Most people are familiar with their clever commercials featuring a friendly gecko or caveman and a promise to save you money on car insurance.
However, they didn’t get over $58 billion in admitted assets simply by saving their customers money. Instead, GEICO has done a good job of minimizing its costs, such as how much money it pays on insurance claims.
To discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer with a track record of going up against insurance companies like GEICO on behalf of injured victims, contact our law office today.
Keep reading to learn the secrets about accident claims against GEICO that the company doesn’t want you to know.
You Should Not Give GEICO Claims Adjusters a Recorded Statement
After an accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you and request a recorded statement about the accident. However, you are not legally obligated to do so right after an accident. In fact, a personal injury attorney will strongly advise against it. Why is that? Because the insurance company may try to use even mundane statements against you later on in the claims process.
For example, a claims adjuster may ask you over the phone how you are feeling, and you may reply, “I’m fine,” even though you are experiencing pain. The insurance company may later point to this statement as evidence that you are not, in fact, experiencing pain, or that it was not caused by the accident.
You Should Limit Your Communication With Claims Adjusters
Keep any communication with the claims adjuster brief, giving them only the essential details like your name and the date of the accident. Do not give them details about your injuries or the accident. You can also direct any future communication to your attorney.
Keep in mind that you may be obligated to give a statement to the insurance company at some point in the process, such as if you file a personal injury lawsuit. By then, your attorney will have explained your rights and will help protect your interests from potential exploitation by GEICO.
GEICO Might Not Use Your Actual Medical Bills to Determine Your Claim Value
You might assume that GEICO will calculate the amount of your claim using the actual medical expenses you incurred. This may not be the case, though. Instead, GEICO will often calculate your medical costs based on what they call the “usual and customary charges.”
In this process, GEICO will use its own medical professionals to evaluate whether the treatment you received aligns with what they consider typical for the type of treatment you received in your area. This can lead to GEICO’s estimate of your medical costs being significantly lower than the actual medical costs you incurred and have to pay for.
A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will be able to establish that your medical costs were necessary and align with the “usual and customary” practices in your area. They will fight for you to be fully compensated for your medical expenses.
Your GEICO Claim is Probably Worth More Than You Think
After an accident, many people will simply add up their medical bills and vehicle repair costs and assume that’s how much their case is worth. But the truth is there are many other costs associated with an accident that may impact the value of your claim.
A skilled personal injury lawyer will fully assess the extent of your damages.
Some types of damages they will consider include:
- Future medical costs: Your injury may require rehabilitation, ongoing pain treatment, or other future medical treatment.
- Lost wages: You will likely miss time from work to deal with the accident, doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, and more.
- Transportation costs: The accident may require you to use a rideshare service, rent a vehicle, take public transportation, or otherwise incur transportation costs.
- Pain and suffering, or other non-economic damages: Accidents can cause suffering and emotional distress, which GEICO may be required to compensate you for.
A car accident can impact your life beyond the immediate medical and vehicle costs you incur. A trained personal injury attorney will be able to recognize the full extent of your losses and fight for you to receive the appropriate compensation.
Don’t Accept GEICO’s Initial Offer
GEICO will want to resolve your case quickly and encourage you to hastily accept their initial settlement offer. It’s good for their business and reduces the likelihood that you hire an attorney or take your case to court. However, you do not have to accept GEICO’s initial settlement offer.
The claims adjusters may make you feel pressured to accept their offer quickly. You may also be feeling pressure from the unexpected costs associated with a car accident. However, if you resist the impulse to take their first offer, you may receive a larger settlement that truly compensates you for the losses you suffered.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Who Knows How To Handle Your GEICO Claim
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Houston, TX, there’s a good chance that you will have to deal with GEICO regarding your claim. Reach out to an experienced Houston personal injury attorney who can stand up to the insurance company for you.
An attorney can investigate the cause of your accident, determine the extent of your damages, and fight for your right to receive favorable compensation.
For more information, contact the Houston car accidents law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500 5000.
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