If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be unable to work and struggling to pay mounting medical bills. If the accident was caused by someone else, their insurance company—or even your own—should compensate you fairly for your injuries and other damages. However, insurance companies often use stalling tactics to delay payments and minimize how much they pay you.
Why Do Insurance Companies Stall?
Insurance companies know that many car accident victims are under financial stress. With medical bills piling up and lost wages, you might feel pressured to accept a low settlement just to get some financial relief. Insurance companies use this to their advantage, stalling your claim to push you into accepting less than you deserve. They may also delay to:
- Discourage you from pursuing your claim.
- Wait until witnesses forget important details.
- Hope valuable evidence gets lost or forgotten.
- Run out the clock on the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Some insurance companies even make stalling a routine part of their claim process.
Common Insurance Company Delay Tactics
If you notice unusual delays in your car accident claim, the insurance company may be stalling. Here are some common tactics they use:
- Repeatedly requesting additional documents or information one at a time.
- Claiming your case is still under review.
- Asking for unrelated medical records or authorizations.
- Requesting multiple recorded statements from you or witnesses.
- Disputing your medical treatment or bills.
- Misrepresenting laws related to your claim.
- Making lowball settlement offers.
- Switching adjusters multiple times to delay progress.
If these tactics sound familiar, you don’t have to face the insurance company alone. A skilled Atlanta car accident lawyer can step in and handle the insurance company for you.
What Are the Time Limits for Insurance Claims?
Insurance companies are required to handle claims fairly, reasonably, and in a timely manner. After a car accident, most insurers recommend reporting the incident immediately. Once you file your claim, the insurance company typically has:
- 15 days to investigate your claim.
- 40 days to settle your claim.
However, they may request more time—up to 60 days—for a deeper investigation. Unfortunately, some insurance companies misuse this time to stall your claim under the guise of conducting a thorough review.
What to Do if the Insurance Company is Stalling
If you suspect the insurance company is intentionally delaying your claim, here are steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Request a Complete List of Required Documents
Ask for a full list of all documents and information needed to evaluate your claim. - Keep Copies of All Evidence
Save physical and digital copies of evidence, including photos, medical bills, and accident reports. - Follow Up Regularly
Check in with the insurance company to ensure your claim is progressing. - Document Everything in Writing
Keep a written record of all communications with the insurance company. - Ask to Speak to a Supervisor
Escalate your concerns by requesting to speak to a higher-level representative. - File a Complaint with the Insurance Commissioner
If delays persist, report the insurance company to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire. - Hire an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer
An experienced attorney can take over communication with the insurance company and ensure they don’t take advantage of you. - File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If stalling continues, your attorney can file a lawsuit to demand the compensation you deserve.
Work with an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta
At John Foy & Associates, we know how to handle insurance companies that stall or act in bad faith. Our Atlanta car accident attorneys can negotiate on your behalf, gather evidence to strengthen your claim, and even file a lawsuit if necessary. Don’t let insurance adjusters delay your case or push you into accepting less than you’re owed.
Bad Faith Insurance Claims
Insurance companies are legally required to act in good faith when evaluating your claim. If they fail to do so, you may have grounds for a bad faith insurance claim. Our legal team can help you pursue this claim and ensure the insurer is held accountable for their actions.
Contact Us Today
If the insurance company is stalling after your car accident, don’t wait to take action. Contact John Foy & Associates today for a free consultation. We’ll fight for your rights, deal with the insurance company for you, and help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Call us now or fill out our online form to get started. Let us help you stop the delays and get the justice you deserve.