The following guide will help you get sorted on your state farm claim (in 2023). Houston personal injury lawyer Greg Baumgartner at Baumgartner Law Firm will talk about State Farm auto accident claims and State Farm settlement payout procedures. He will also discuss state farm mutual automobile insurance claims. Car accident claims with an insurance company can test your patience.
Although State Farm has a good reputation with their insureds, whether or not you feel they are like a good neighbor after your injury claim with State Farm is interesting to see.
A settlement offer can vary, and there is no set payment schedule. Personal injury claim amounts depend on the extent of your injury, the insurance coverage, and who was at fault.
Baumgartner Law Firm is a Houston personal injury law firm established over 35 years ago to represent personal injury victims best. Contact us for a free consultation with one of the best car accident lawyers near me by calling us at (281) 587-1111 in Houston.
If State Farm Insures the At-Fault Driver, They Are Not On Your Side
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. If you claim against their insured, they will try to pay as little as possible for your injury claims.
Texas is an at-fault state. State Farm will seek to shift the blame if they can.
Why Expect a Low-Ball State Farm Settlement Offer?
If State Farm insures the other person in the crash, they owe no duty of fairness. Accordingly, a low-ball offer is the norm not an exception in that situation.
Factors Affecting Your State Farm Settlement
All the information provided to the State Farm representative will be recorded to determine the facts of your case. Insurance companies gather information about the crash, witnesses, police reports, etc.
The information they collect may be used to delay, deny, or contest your claim. A State Farm claims adjuster can ask you to sign medical authorization documents giving insurance companies access to your medical information.
We suggest obtaining the relevant records yourself instead of giving unlimited access to all your private medical information. Alternatively, get a car accident attorney in Houston who will collect the related medical information to send to State Farm.
Read More: What Happens When You Reject an Insurance Settlement Offer?
Using the Pre-Existing Condition Excuse After an Injury Claim
Another thing State Farm or any other auto insurer will try is to find something in the past to justify cutting back or denying the claim. For example, if you were injured in an auto accident years earlier, an adjuster may claim that the prior crash was the cause of the documented injury even though your prior injury had caused you no issues for quite a while.
However, even if you were still experiencing symptoms from an existing injury, if the car wreck made it worse, you should be entitled to compensation for the aggravation of the existing injury. But expect the insurance company to challenge your claims.
How Can I Get a Higher Settlement from My State Farm Insurance Claim?
State Farm is a national automobile insurance company that makes hundreds of millions of profits yearly. They are in the business of making money by paying out less money than they collect in premiums. Recognizing that regardless of the marketing, an insurance company will pay as little as possible to settle a claim.
Getting a personal injury lawyer to handle your case is the easiest way to maximize your settlement amount. The attorney will also do the work needed to advance your case with State Farm.
You Don’t Have to Give a Recorded Statement
The next secret to dealing with State Farm is how you address their “need” for a recorded statement. Often, you may be told the adjuster needs or must have a recorded interview with you before they can address a claim. If State Farm is your insurance company, you may have a duty to cooperate with them in addressing a claim made with them.
However, if State Farm is the at-fault person’s insurer, you do not have to give a recorded account to the adjuster to make a claim. If you agree to let the adjuster record your answers, whatever you say can be used against you. We suggest speaking with an experienced attorney at the minimum before talking with the adjuster.
What Information Should I Provide to State Farm for an Injury Claim?
Doing your homework when making an injury claim is necessary to get a timely and fair payout. Some assume that the adjuster will do all the work. They may, but do not expect anything timely.
Here is a list of information to provide the insurance adjuster for an injury claim:
- Relevant medical bills and records
- Photos of property damage
- The crash report
- Lost wage statements
- Eyewitness names and phone numbers
- Liability facts
- A demand letter.
The easier you make it for the adjuster to respond to your case, the quicker you will get a response. State Farm Insurance Company is like many other well-known auto insurance companies. Adjusters are overwhelmed with open files; the longer a file opens, the longer the insurance company keeps the money.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you have not worked with a law firm or adjusted injury claims, you are at a disadvantage with an adjuster who handles claims for a living. The tactics available to them are numerous; for those not experienced in negotiation and claims, the odds of getting full compensation are not great.
An auto insurance lawyer can handle your case from start to finish. Specifically, doing the following:
- Investigating your case
- Gathering your medical bills and records
- Being your spokesperson with State Farm
- Knowing the value range of your claim
- Negotiating a settlement with State Farm
- Filing a lawsuit if the case does not settle fairly
How do you negotiate against a Low-ball State Farm Settlement Offer?
Make sure you have your homework done. Explain the extent of your injuries and have the records to back your injury up.
You should demonstrate to the claim adjuster that your claim is valid by giving specific information about your claim, including medical records from your doctor documenting the injuries you sustained.
Expect a Low-Ball State Farm Settlement Offer
Expect an unacceptable first offer. Low settlement offers are a common tactic of most insurance companies. Designed to lower your expectations and save them money. Be prepared to get a low offer from State Farm and respond with a reasonable and appropriate counteroffer, given the low insurance settlement offer.
Be Prepared to Counteroffer
If your counteroffer is out of the ballpark for a settlement based on the facts of your case, the adjuster’s reply will not be great. Your goal is to signal you will settle, but only for a reasonable amount. If your expectations are unreasonable, you will hurt your odds of an out-of-court settlement. Likewise, if you ask for more than the case is worth, the adjuster will likely not respond or move from the law offer.
Getting an injury lawyer to handle your case is recommended in every case where the injury is not very minor.
Why Ask State Farm for Pain and Suffering Numbers?
Mutual automobile insurance companies almost always offer a settlement in one number. That includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. Asking how much of the offer is for human damages like pain and suffering allows you to point out just how ridiculous the offer is.
If you have objective findings from medical testing or if the injury is not just temporary, the non-economic damages should exceed the bills and lost wages.
How Much are State Farm Payouts?
Payouts vary by the accident facts and damages proven. Payouts can be as little as one thousand dollars or into the millions depending on the amount of insurance, liability and how badly someone is injured.
Why the Adjuster Does Not Want You to Get a Lawyer
Does State Farmer have any problem with settling the injury claims? Experienced personal injury law firms such as Baumgartner Law Firm know how to settle cases for maximum value.
Our lawyers know the strategies used by State Farm and how to get the most compensation. State Farm does everything possible to discourage you from retaining a lawyer. Adjusters will call you immediately, even if they offer less than you deserve.
Successfully dealing with insurance adjusters is not easy, quick, or fun.
Some adjusters will attempt to reach a settlement when you do not even know what medical care you need to recover. Under any circumstance, do not consider a settlement offer before you know what care is needed.
If shortly after an accident, an adjuster looks to “estimate” medical care with an allowance. RUN, DO NOT WALK AWAY!
How Do I Get the Most Out of My State Farm Settlement?
Some tips to maximize what you put in your pocket. After negotiating a State Farm settlement settlement, taking steps to net the most money is appropriate.
If your health insurance company paid some of the bills, they might want to get paid back out of a settlement. Or a hospital may file a “lien” to get the first money of the payout. Working to reduce or pay the medical bills can help your bottom line.
How Long Does It Take for State Farm to Send a Check?
State Farm adjusters can cut a check very quickly after a settlement. However, if liens are filed, they may be required to pay the hospital or other bills separately. Otherwise, with a State Farm Claim, they may issue a check payable to both you and the hospital.
How long does a personal injury case take in Texas? Often longer than most expect.
Why Does an Insurance Company Take So Long to Settle a Car Accident Injury Case?
A company will usually do extensive investigative work to establish fault. This could cause long-run delays for insurers in paying their bills. Also, if their insured claims they are not at fault, the adjuster may deny the claim unless other witnesses dispute their driver’s account of the crash.
Too, the longer they take to pay, the longer they keep their money.
Read More: How Long Does State Farm Take to Settle Cases in Houston, TX?
State Farm Settlement Examples
A woman was rear-ended while stopped at a red light. She went to the emergency room and had follow up medical treatment. Her medical bills were about $8,000. The settlement was for $30,000.
A man was hurt in a car accident with a drunk driver. The man required physical therapy and follow up medical care. State Farm paid the $50,000 policy limits to settle the case.
Read More: Should I Accept a Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?
How Much Does Getting a Lawyer for My State Farm Injury Claim Cost?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may have many questions about handling your medical bills and the lost wages when you can’t work. You may be worried about how much it costs to hire an attorney to help you through this difficult time. The truth is that our law firm handles these types of cases on a contingency fee basis.
Contingency fees are paid only if you get money from your case. Our policy is that we do not charge a fee if you do not get money in your pocket.
If your injuries are relatively minor and involve only getting checked out after the accident, you may be able to handle this claim yourself. However, if your injuries require treatment outside of being checked out, getting a qualified attorney to help you with your case is in your best interest.
Many studies have shown that those who have retained a qualified attorney for an accident case net more money in their pocket than those who handled the case independently without a lawyer.
Because we use a contingent fee arrangement, we can represent you without you having to pay out of your pocket. The more serious your injury, the more you need help from one of your area’s best auto accident attorneys.
How Baumgartner Law Firm Can Help with Your State Farm Injury Claim
If you’ve been hurt in an auto accident in Harris County, Texas, where State Farm is one of the insurance companies that may provide coverage for the claim, call Baumgartner Law Firm for a free consultation. Our award-winning Houston auto accident attorney can help with your State Farm accident claim.
During the free consultation, we will thoroughly review your case with you. We understand the importance of examining all the details, including your insurance policy, the other driver’s insurance policy, and the available evidence. Not to mention your medical records and analysis of future medical expenses. Taking a comprehensive approach, we aim to build a solid personal injury case to get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your bodily injury claim.
Since 1985, Baumgartner Law Firm has helped car crash victims get compensation from State Farm. Our team’s expertise and knowledge of the claims process allow us to negotiate effectively with insurance companies like State Farm.
We believe in fair treatment for all our clients and are committed to fighting for your rights. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the fair treatment and compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us guide you through making a State Farm accident claim in Harris County, Texas.
Call Baumgartner Law Firm to Talk with a Top-rated Auto Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in an auto accident in Harris County, Texas, where State Farm is one of the insurance companies that may provide benefits for the claim, call us for a free consultation. We can review your case with you and outline your legal options.
Call our injury lawyers in Houston, Texas, at (281) 587-1111.
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069
If you liked this article, you may like these:
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Another State
How Much to Expect from a Car Accident in Texas?
What are Most Lawyer Fees for Car Accidents?
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Houston, TX?
Determining Fault in Texas Car Accidents
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Houston, TX?
How a Traffic Ticket Affects a Personal Injury Case