Has the insurance company wrongly denied or delayed your claim in Creve Coeur, Missouri? If so, contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at (314) 350-4021 for a free consultation. Let our experienced Creve Coeur bad faith insurance lawyers help you pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
Our attorneys have been recognized as members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, so we know how to get results. We are dedicated to standing up for the rights of accident and injury victims, and we want to help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation and let us put our experience to work for you.
How Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Creve Coeur, MO
After an accident, most victims need the money from an insurance settlement to pay medical bills and other unexpected expenses. Plus, you may be due compensation for your pain and suffering as well.
But what happens when the insurance company doesn’t play fair? You may feel helpless and wonder where to turn for help. Thankfully, the team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers has the experience you need on your side during this difficult time.
Our Creve Coeur personal injury lawyers can help you by:
- Researching all the details of your original claim
- Reviewing policy documents and other coverage details
- Interviewing employees of the insurance company
- Gathering evidence to prove your claim and a potential pattern of behavior
- Working with experts to establish the value of your claim
- Handling all communications with the insurance company
- Negotiating a top-dollar settlement
- Filing a bad-faith lawsuit and asserting your rights in court
Let us help remove some of the stress of the situation by handling every aspect of your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Creve Coeur bad faith insurance attorney to get started.
Overview of Bad Faith Insurance
When you file an insurance claim, the insurance company has a legal duty to handle that claim in good faith. This is an implied legal duty that is part of your insurance contract. This means investigating the claim to determine whether they have liability. It also means promptly paying claims where liability has been established.
Unfortunately, some insurance companies decide to cut corners. They want to protect their bottom line, so they may deny legitimate claims to avoid paying you. This unfair and illegal behavior hurts the victims who are counting on the compensation from that claim.
What Conduct Is Considered Bad Faith?
Some common examples of behavior that may be considered bad faith include:
- Ignoring your communications altogether
- Intentionally delaying responses to your communications
- Denying your claim without any investigation
- Delaying the processing of your claim
- Failing to promptly pay your claim after liability has been established
- Misrepresenting the details of your coverage
- Changing the terms of your coverage after a claim was filed
If an insurance company engages in this type of conduct, you may have grounds to challenge the denial or delay. Speaking with an attorney can help you determine whether the insurer’s actions amount to bad faith and what legal options may be available to you.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Bad Faith Insurance Victims in Missouri?
Victims who have been subjected to these types of bad faith practices may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
This means they may be able to recover:
- The amount of their original claim
- Late fees or penalties
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
- Interest charges
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of reputation
- Damage to financial credit
Punitive damages may also be available in bad faith claims. These types of damages are used to punish the insurance company for its behavior and prevent others from engaging in similar behavior.
To win punitive damages in these cases, a plaintiff must show by clear and convincing evidence that the insurance company intentionally harmed them or acted with a flagrant disregard for their rights.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bad Faith Lawsuit in Missouri?
Your time to file a claim for bad faith insurance is limited. Missouri law generally allows victims five years from the date of the misconduct to file a claim for their damages.
However, there could be some special circumstances that might make the deadline in your case different from the general rule. Since missing the deadline can completely bar you from recovering compensation, you should always seek help from an experienced lawyer right away.
Contact Our Creve Coeur Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If the insurance company has wrongly denied your claim in Creve Coeur, MO, contact the team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for help. We will help you hold the insurance company accountable and handle every detail of your claim.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Creve Coeur bad faith insurance attorney and let us get started.
