Do You Have an Accident and Injury Claim Against American Family Insurance?
If you were in an auto accident, you may hope your American Family Auto Insurance provider will stand by you and provide you with the settlement you deserve for your injuries, your pain and suffering, and even your time off work as a result of the accident—or that the other driver’s American Family policy will.
Unfortunately, all too often, insurance companies fail to provide the quality customer service that victims of car accidents really need. An American Family Insurance policy is meant to protect you and others. However, with
less than two star-ratings from their customers, don’t feel surprised if you find yourself in need of legal assistance to obtain your claims. You might find this surprising, considering the company takes in an estimated $8.8 billion in annual revenue.
In 2018 alone,
319,146 automobile accidents took place in Illinois, resulting in 94,164 injuries. Almost a third of those accidents took place in Chicago, producing more than 24,000 injuries and almost 132 deaths.
Were you injured in one of those auto accidents? Is the insurance company for the responsible party working against you, rather than for you? Are you struggling to get the right settlement for your claims? Contact Abels & Annes at
(312) 924-7575 or
online and learn if we may be able to help you.
Our Results in Auto Insurance Cases
The
Chicago insurance dispute settlement lawyers at Abels & Annes have extensive experience dealing with auto insurance cases, and have successfully negotiated settlements for our clients from many of the big-name insurance companies. While each settlement is unique and depends on the specific facts of the case, our record includes settlements in the millions of dollars, including several settlements for the maximum policy limits. We are committed to getting compensation to our clients as soon as possible, so that they will be able to move on with their lives.
In past car accident cases, we recovered $135,000 for a client who was struck by a driver who failed to yield when making a left turn, $125,000 for a client who sustained a shoulder injury after getting rear-ended, and $460,000 after another driver struck a client who consequently needed surgery.
If you’re uncertain of how much your accident claims will cost you, talk to a lawyer. If Abels & Annes agrees to take your case, we will work to ensure you get the right settlement.
What Injuries Might Auto Insurance Cover?
Car accident injuries are often substantial, causing long-term suffering or even permanent disability for victims. Common injuries may include:
Who Bears Liability for a Car Accident?
Sometimes clearly responsible, negligent parties cause auto accidents—but that is not always true. More often, multiple factors come into play, as could multiple responsible parties. For example:
- Bars or restaurants that over-served drunk drivers. Bars and restaurants have a duty to cut off individuals who are clearly intoxicated and may drive when they leave. If an establishment that serves or sells alcohol fails to cut off a patron who then causes an auto accident, it may bear partial liability for the accident.
- Companies who employed a negligent driver. When a driver causes an accident during the course of employment, the employer may share liability. Companies can incur liability if they require their drivers to work too long, or negligently hire or train their employees. Failure to screen for drivers with substance abuse issues may also implicate a company.
An accident victim who chooses to work with a lawyer will have help clarifying some of the potentially complicated liability factors. A lawyer will also advocate for a client through the sometimes difficult insurance claims process, and, if it becomes necessary, pursue litigation to hold all responsible parties liable for damages.
What Compensation Does a Personal Injury Claim Involve?
Auto accident claims may include:
- Compensation for your medical expenses. If someone has serious injuries as a result of an auto accident, they may qualify for compensation. This may include immediate medical care after the accident and ongoing care and treatment, including physical therapy.
- Coverage for pain and suffering. If a victim’s quality of life diminished as a result of an accident, the victim may fight for compensation for pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is hard to calculate, and no amount of money can restore life to the way it was, an award for pain and suffering may help victims move forward with life.
- Payment for lost wages as a result of the accident. A victim who missed work because of an accident may recover compensation for that lost income. Victims may also recover lost earning potential if they were left with permanent injuries or disabilities following their accidents.
- Funeral and burial expenses. If a loved one died as a result of an auto accident, survivors may file a claim for funeral and burial expenses.
- Property damage. If a victim’s vehicle needs repair or replacement, the victim can file a claim for property damage. In addition, if there were damages to valuable property within the vehicle at the time of the accident, that may also qualify for compensation.
How Do Insurance Companies React?
Insurance should protect customers in the event of an accident. However, most insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their goal is to maximize the policies they write while minimizing the claim payments they make. This business model means insurance companies may try to avoid paying the full amount an accident victim deserves. For example, they may:
- Attempt to reduce their driver’s liability. The company may try to claim that the victim caused the accident, or that other external factors contributed to the accident. If it can prove a limit of a driver’s liability, the insurance company can decrease the amount it must pay for any related claims.
- Offer a smaller settlement than a victim deserves. An insurance company may attempt to get an accident victim to sign a low settlement offer that doesn’t reflect the actual damages caused by the accident.
Get Legal Help from Abels & Annes to Negotiate with the Insurance Company
Abels & Annes offers a free consultation for accident victims, where we review your case and potential claims with you. If we take a case, we handle it on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will deduct any attorney fees or litigation costs from any eventual settlement or verdict. You will pay no upfront costs. There is no fee unless you win.
If you’re struggling to negotiate with American Family Insurance following a car accident, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Speak to a Chicago accident lawyer at Abels & Annes as soon as possible.
Contact us at
(312) 924-7575 or online to schedule a free consultation today.
For more free information about dealing with specific types of insurance companies review some of our other resources below: