When you suffered an injury in an accident caused by someone else, dealing with an insurance company can quickly become frustrating. If you’re pursuing a claim with American Family Insurance, the process often feels stacked against you.
A personal injury lawyer in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, ensures you’re not left to figure everything out alone. You should focus on recovery while your attorney handles the complicated details of your claim.
American Family Insurance and the Claims Process
American Family Insurance ranked No. 8 on this list of the largest auto insurance companies in the U.S. Like most insurance companies, it primarily wants to minimize payouts on claims to protect its bottom line. This often means it uses tactics to undervalue or deny legitimate claims, which feels frustrating and unfair.
When you file a claim with American Family, the process typically begins with submitting your accident details, medical records, and repair estimates. The insurance adjuster assigned to your case will evaluate this information to determine how much the company believes your claim is worth.
This evaluation is rarely fair to you as the injured party, as insurers frequently underestimate the impact of injuries, pain, and financial losses.
Your South Carolina personal injury lawyer will counter these tactics by presenting detailed evidence to support your claim.
From the outset, your attorney ensures that American Family takes your injuries seriously and treats you fairly. Without legal representation, the insurance company may pressure you into accepting a low settlement that doesn’t fully cover your losses.
Initial Steps in Handling an Injury Claim
Once you’ve retained a South Carolina personal injury attorney, they’ll start by gathering all necessary documentation to support your claim. It includes police reports, medical records, photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and anything else that can strengthen your case.
Each piece of evidence builds a strong argument against American Family Insurance.
Your lawyer will also take the time to listen to your account of the accident and how it affected your life. They need a clear understanding of your injuries, medical treatment, and the challenges you faced since the accident. It allows your attorney to create a demand package that accurately reflects the true value of your claim.
The initial demand letter to American Family outlines the details of your accident, your injuries, and the compensation you’re seeking. It sets the tone for negotiations, letting the insurer know you won’t settle for less than you deserve.
With a clear and detailed demand letter, your lawyer can pressure the insurance company to take your claim seriously.
How Insurance Adjusters Respond to Claims
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s financial interests. When you file a claim with American Family, the adjuster’s job is to find ways to minimize the payout. They may argue that your injuries aren’t that serious or that some of your medical treatments weren’t necessary.
Adjusters often rely on tactics designed to wear you down and make you accept less than what you deserve.
A South Carolina personal injury lawyer knows how to deal with these tactics. Your attorney will anticipate the adjuster’s arguments and prepare evidence-supported counterpoints. For example, if the adjuster questions the severity of your injuries, your lawyer will provide detailed medical records and statements from your healthcare providers to validate your claim.
By handling communication with the adjuster, your attorney ensures you don’t fall into traps or make statements they can use against you.
Insurance companies often try to exploit claimants who lack legal representation by twisting their words or taking things out of context. With your lawyer managing all interactions, you can avoid these pitfalls and focus on your recovery.
Negotiating for a Fair Settlement
Negotiating with an insurance company like American Family can be daunting. Insurers often approach claims with their interests in mind, aiming to reduce payouts and protect their bottom line.
They commonly begin negotiations with a lowball offer, hoping claimants will accept due to financial pressure or frustration with the process. The first offer will likely not come close to covering all of your damages.
In these situations, you need a lawyer who recognizes that the first offer is not the final word. Accepting it prematurely can leave you without the resources necessary to recover fully. You need a lawyer who understands the tactics insurance companies use to successfully navigate this process.
A Lawyer Knows How to Negotiate
A skilled South Carolina personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your negotiations.
Your attorney will carefully review the offer and assess whether it reflects the true value of your claim. If the offer falls short, your lawyer will negotiate aggressively to ensure your settlement aligns with the losses you’ve incurred.
Your lawyer will present a compelling case to the insurer, highlighting the strength of the evidence supporting your claim. They’ll emphasize key elements such as medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony to demonstrate the full extent of your damages.
In addition, your attorney will remind the insurance company of the risks they face if the case goes to trial. Insurers are often motivated to avoid the unpredictability and expense of a courtroom battle, especially when confronted with a strong case.
The Patience Required for Effective Negotiation
Negotiations with an insurance company can take time, but patience can achieve a fair settlement.
Insurance adjusters may resist paying the full amount you deserve, prolonging the process in the hope that you’ll accept a lesser offer. However, your attorney will remain steadfast, advocating for a resolution that truly compensates you for your losses.
Throughout this process, your lawyer will keep you informed, explaining each offer and advising you whether to accept, reject, or counter. This transparency ensures you remain involved in the decision-making process and fully understand the implications of each step.
Negotiating for a fair settlement is a meticulous and strategic effort. By refusing to back down and focusing on achieving the best possible outcome, your attorney can recover the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Litigation as a Last Resort
If American Family refuses to offer a fair settlement, your South Carolina personal injury lawyer will be prepared to take your case to court. Filing a lawsuit shows the insurer that you’re serious about pursuing full compensation and they can’t intimidate you into settling for less.
The litigation process begins with filing a complaint in court, outlining the details of your case and the compensation you demand. Both sides will then engage in discovery, exchanging evidence and information to prepare for trial.
This phase allows your attorney to uncover additional evidence that may strengthen your case, such as internal communications from the insurance company or testimony from expert witnesses.
While litigation can take time, it can achieve justice when an insurer refuses to act in good faith. Your attorney will handle all aspects of the trial, from presenting evidence to cross-examining witnesses, making your case as strong as possible.
By demonstrating your willingness to fight in court, your lawyer can increase the pressure on American Family to settle before the trial concludes.
Proving the Impact of Your Injuries
One of the most critical aspects of an injury claim is proving the extent of your injuries and how they’ve affected your life. Again, American Family may argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim or that they were pre-existing conditions. Your attorney will counter these arguments with compelling evidence to show the true impact of the accident.
Medical records are often the cornerstone of this evidence, as they provide a detailed account of your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Your lawyer may also work with your healthcare providers to obtain statements or testimony about your injuries and the long-term effects you’re likely to experience.
These details demonstrate the need for compensation for future medical care and other ongoing expenses.
Beyond medical evidence, your attorney will gather statements from family members, friends, and coworkers who can explain how your injuries changed your daily life. Whether it’s difficulty performing basic tasks, missing out on important life events, or struggling with emotional distress, these accounts can paint a vivid picture of your losses.
Calculating the True Value of Your Claim
Determining the value of an injury claim involves more than adding up medical bills and repair costs. Your South Carolina personal injury lawyer will consider all aspects of your losses, including economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include costs that are easy to calculate, like property damage, lost earnings, and medical bills. On the other hand, non-economic damages account for subjective losses such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
Calculating non-economic damages requires an attorney, as there’s no straightforward formula for determining their value.
Your attorney will use their knowledge of similar cases and legal precedents to estimate a fair amount for these losses. They’ll also consider how badly you’re hurt, the impact on your future earning capacity, and the emotional toll of the accident.
By presenting a comprehensive picture of your losses, your lawyer ensures that American Family understands the full extent of your claim. This makes it harder for the insurer to argue for a lower settlement and strengthens your negotiation position.
Addressing Insurance Company Tactics
Like many insurers, American Family may use various tactics to reduce or deny your claim. They might delay the claims process, hoping you’ll give up or accept a lower settlement. They can request unnecessary documentation or argue that something other than the accident caused your injuries.
Your South Carolina personal injury attorney knows how to counter these tactics effectively. If the insurance company tries to delay the process, your lawyer can push for timely responses and, if necessary, involve the court to enforce deadlines.
When faced with unreasonable demands for documentation, your attorney will provide only what’s relevant and necessary, ensuring your claim stays on track.
By staying one step ahead of the insurance company, your lawyer ensures you’re treated fairly throughout the claims process. Their persistence and determination clearly convey that American Family won’t take advantage of you.
After Your Claim
Successfully resolving an injury claim with American Family can provide you with the financial resources needed to rebuild your life. Compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages allows you to focus on your recovery without the added stress of financial strain.
Your South Carolina personal injury attorney will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Once your claim is resolved, your lawyer can help you understand your rights and options moving forward. If you require ongoing medical treatment or face long-term challenges due to your injuries, they can advise you on additional steps to protect your well-being. With their support, you can regain control of your life and confidently look to the future.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Not all personal injury lawyers are the same, so choose an attorney who will prioritize your needs. Look for someone who communicates clearly, listens to your concerns, and will achieve the best outcome.
Build your relationship with your lawyer on trust, so you must feel comfortable discussing your situation with them.
When you choose a South Carolina personal injury lawyer to handle your American Family injury claim, you invest in your future. They’ll provide guidance and advocacy, working to ensure you receive the money you deserve. The right attorney can help face the challenges ahead with confidence and peace of mind.
Please schedule a free case review with a lawyer as soon as possible so they can get to work helping you deal with a huge insurance company.
By contacting a lawyer to fight against large insurance companies like American Family, you empower yourself to take a proactive stance on your case.
