Has the insurance company wrongly delayed or denied your claim in Salinas, California? If so, contact Mercado Kramer at (888) 311-4050 for a free consultation. Let our Salinas bad faith insurance lawyers help you pursue maximum compensation, including the amount of your original claim plus punitive damages.
If the insurance company denies your claim, you may feel helpless and think that you have no way to get the compensation you are owed. Our legal team has 18 years of combined experience fighting to protect the rights of accident victims, and we can help you stand up to the insurance company.
How Mercado Kramer Can Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Salinas, CA
After an accident, the insurance company may owe you compensation for your damages. However, insurance companies are in business to make money, and they sometimes even take advantage of accident victims in order to keep more money in their pocket. This may include wrongly denying your claim or making you an absurdly low settlement offer.
Knowing your rights and having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can show the insurance company that you mean business. Thankfully, the team at Mercado Kramer is here to help.
Our Salinas bad faith insurance attorneys can:
- Investigate the details of your accident and your original insurance claim
- Review the insurance policy and contract details
- Assess all available insurance coverage that may have applied to your accident
- Handle all communications with the insurance adjuster and opposing counsel
- Interview insurance company employees to prove a pattern of behavior
- Identify any new damages to which you may be entitled
- Put an accurate value on your claim to maximize your compensation
- Negotiate a full and fair settlement
- File a bad faith insurance lawsuit and take your case to a jury when necessary
Your time to file a bad faith insurance claim may be limited, so don’t wait until it is too late to get help. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Salinas personal injury lawyer.
Overview of Bad Faith Insurance
When you buy an insurance policy, you enter into a contract with the insurance company. You agree to pay regular premiums to the insurance company, and in exchange, they agree to reimburse you for any covered losses. Under this contract, the insurance company has an implied duty to deal in good faith.
Dealing in good faith means that they must uphold their end of the bargain. The insurance company must be fair and honest when reviewing claims, and they must pay all valid claims in a timely manner. When they fail to do so, they could be dealing in bad faith, and this means that they could be on the hook for any damages they cause you.
Some common examples of bad faith behavior include:
- Ignoring or failing to respond to your communications in a timely manner
- Denying your claim without performing any investigation
- Denying your claim with no valid reason or explanation
- Intentionally delaying the handling or processing of your claim
- Misrepresenting the terms of your coverage
- Changing the terms of your coverage after you have filed a claim
- Making you an extremely lowball settlement offer
At Mercado Kramer, we can investigate all the details of your situation to prove the insurance company’s actions and help you hold them accountable.
How Much Is My Bad Faith Insurance Claim Worth?
The specific value of your claim will depend on the circumstances of your situation.
Victims of bad faith insurance are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- The amount of your original claim
- Late fees
- Interest charges
- Stress and anxiety
- Damage to reputation
- Damage to credit history
Additionally, you may be entitled to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish the insurance company for their egregious behavior. To win punitive damages, you must be able to show by clear and convincing evidence that the insurance company acted with fraud, oppression, or malice. In some cases, punitive damages can be awarded in an amount far in excess of your actual financial damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for Bad Faith Insurance in California?
There are time limits for filing a lawsuit for bad faith insurance. The limit on your case may be two years or four years, depending on whether your action is based on tort or contract law. Also, the time when the clock starts running can be complicated, so you should always get help from an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
At Mercado Kramer, we can help you determine the deadline for your claim so that you do not miss your chance to obtain a financial recovery.
Contact Our Salinas Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If the insurance company has dealt in bad faith with your claim in Salinas, CA, contact the team at Mercado Kramer today. Let us help you hold the insurance company accountable and get the compensation you are legally owed. Call us now to schedule your free consultation with a Salinas bad faith insurance attorney to get started.
