It is not uncommon to feel frustrated when dealing with an insurance company. They often make it challenging to recover compensation and only try to protect their bottom line. However, their actions are taken to another level when they act in bad faith and engage in deceptive practices.
When this occurs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, you may be able to take action against the insurance company. The experienced team at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers can help you stand up to the insurance company and get the compensation you deserve.
To learn more and discuss your bad faith insurance case, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma City bad faith insurance lawyer at (405) 703-4567.
How Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Case in Oklahoma City, OK
At Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to doing battle on behalf of our clients. Our highly skilled team is a formidable force that has a proven track record of getting results. Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers have 95 years of combined experience and have recovered over $100 million for our clients.
When an insurance company is treating you unfairly, an Oklahoma City bad faith insurance lawyer will:
- Examine your original compensation claim
- Investigate how the adjuster may have acted in bad faith
- Gather evidence to support your case
- File all necessary paperwork and legal claims for you
- Negotiate a settlement to compensate you for your original claim and other damages
- Fight for the maximum verdict at trial if the insurance company refuses to negotiate
Our team has the experience necessary to battle the insurance companies when they act in bad faith against our clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Ways That an Insurance Company Can Act in Bad Faith
When an insurance company acts in bad faith, it means that they have been dishonest regarding your claim or in their dealings with you. They may have also acted in a way that exceeded the bounds and purpose of their role.
Oklahoma’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practice Act states that actions by insurers that constitute an unfair claim settlement include:
- Failing to disclose pertinent policy information
- Denying your claim without a valid reason
- Purposely delaying the resolution of your claim
- Attempting to pay you a settlement that does not adequately cover your losses
- Attempting to resolve and close your case prematurely
- Misrepresentation
- Suddenly dropping your policy for no apparent reason
- Pressuring you not to hire a lawyer
Insurance companies often focus on protecting their own interests and bottom line, and it is to their benefit to close your case out as quickly as possible. However, you have the right to see your valid claim resolved in a timely manner. You may also be able to take steps to file a complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID).
Bad Faith Claim Actions Your Lawyer Can Help You Navigate
You may have a bad faith claim under Oklahoma law § 1250.3 if an insurance company knowingly engages in unfair settlement practices and/or does so with such frequency that it becomes a normal practice. Insurance companies can be penalized for this behavior, and you can hold them accountable by taking action.
Your next steps may be impacted by the situation’s circumstances, so it is best to talk with a lawyer to see what your options may be. Regardless of how you move forward, it is important to collect and maintain as much evidence as possible to demonstrate the actions taken by the insurance company.
This may include emails and other communications regarding your policy or claim, settlement offer documentation, and your policy documentation, to name a few. Be prepared to show the evidence you supplied for your claim, which is likely to include medical bills, income information, pain and suffering journals, and more.
Once you have secured legal representation for your bad faith claim, your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company and engage in negotiations to secure the compensation you are requesting. Your lawyer will protect your rights as they advocate for you so insurance companies will pay you a settlement that is fair and appropriate for your circumstances.
Statute of Limitations for Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Oklahoma
Like most legal issues, there is a limit to how long you have to bring forth a bad faith insurance claim. Because these circumstances are based on a written agreement between you and the insurance company, the statute of limitations is generally derived from contract law. As such, this means that you have 5 years to pursue action against the insurance company in question. Despite this length of time, it is important to file a claim as soon as possible.
Contact an Oklahoma City Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers knows how frustrating it is when insurance companies act in bad faith and keep you from recovering compensation. Their actions cause you further injury by keeping you from getting the relief you need. Our team will fight back until we get you the results you deserve. To enlist an ally in your fight, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma City bad faith insurance attorney
