Albuquerque Auto Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers

After a car accident, you rely on your auto insurance to cover damages, medical bills, and other expenses that arise from the collision. However, too often, auto insurance companies engage in bad faith practices, wrongfully denying or delaying claims and leaving policyholders to shoulder the financial burden. At Collins & Collins, P.C., we are committed to holding these companies accountable when they fail to uphold their obligations.

Auto insurance bad faith occurs when insurers refuse to honor legitimate claims or otherwise act unfairly, violating their duty to their policyholders. If you’ve been a victim of an insurance company’s bad faith practices, we are here to help you recover what you are owed.

What Is Auto Insurance Bad Faith?

Auto insurance bad faith happens when an insurance company fails to deal fairly with its policyholders. This can happen in various ways, such as denying a valid claim, offering a lowball settlement, or dragging out the claims process unnecessarily. Some of the most common auto insurance bad faith practices include:

• Denial of Valid Claims: Insurers may deny coverage for accident-related damages or injuries without a valid reason, often citing irrelevant policy exclusions or misinterpreting policy terms.
• Lowball Settlements: Instead of offering a fair settlement that reflects the true costs of repair, medical treatment, or lost wages, insurers may offer far less than what you are entitled to, hoping you’ll accept it to resolve the claim quickly.
• Unreasonable Delays: Some insurance companies intentionally delay claim processing, leaving policyholders waiting for months or even years before receiving payment. This tactic forces many people to either give up or accept an unjustly reduced settlement.
• Failure to Investigate: Insurance companies are required to conduct a thorough investigation into claims. When they fail to do so or rely on incomplete information to deny coverage, they are acting in bad faith.
• Disputes Over Fault: Insurers may argue that you were at fault for the accident, even when evidence shows otherwise, as a way to minimize or avoid paying your claim.

At Collins & Collins, P.C., we fight these bad faith practices head-on. Our team understands the tactics insurance companies use, and we know how to force them to fulfill their contractual obligations.

The Impact of Auto Insurance Bad Faith

When an insurance company engages in bad faith, the consequences for policyholders can be significant. After a car accident, many people face crippling financial burdens, including:

• Vehicle Repair Costs: Auto insurance is supposed to cover the cost of repairs or replacement when your vehicle is damaged in an accident. When insurers refuse to pay or offer a lowball settlement, you may be forced to pay out of pocket to get your car back on the road.
• Medical Expenses: Injuries sustained in car accidents often require extensive medical treatment. If your insurance company delays or denies payment, you could be stuck with costly hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses, and ongoing care needs.
• Lost Wages: If you are unable to work due to injuries from the accident, auto insurance is supposed to cover your lost wages. Bad faith practices can result in delayed or denied payments, leaving you without income at a critical time.
• Financial Hardship: The financial strain caused by auto insurance bad faith can lead to increased debt, difficulty paying bills, and even loss of your vehicle or other property.

Beyond the financial toll, bad faith practices can also take a significant emotional toll. Being forced to battle your insurance company at a time when you should be focusing on your recovery can lead to stress, anxiety, and frustration.

Common Auto Insurance Bad Faith Practices

Insurance companies are known to employ a variety of bad faith tactics to minimize or deny auto accident claims. Some of the most common examples include:

• Denying Coverage Without Explanation: Insurers may deny your claim without providing a clear or valid reason. They may point to policy exclusions that do not apply or claim that you failed to meet certain procedural requirements, even when you did everything by the book.
• Offering Unreasonably Low Settlements: After a car accident, insurance companies may try to settle your claim for far less than it’s worth, knowing that many policyholders are under financial pressure and may accept whatever is offered to avoid a lengthy fight.
• Blaming You for the Accident: Even in cases where the other driver is clearly at fault, your insurance company may try to shift the blame onto you as a way to reduce or deny your claim. They may misinterpret the evidence or rely on flawed accident reconstruction reports to support their case.
• Delaying Claim Payments: Insurers sometimes draw out the claims process unnecessarily, hoping that policyholders will accept a lower settlement just to get the money they need sooner.
• Failing to Defend You: In cases where you are being sued as a result of a car accident, your insurance company is obligated to provide a legal defense under most policies. If they refuse to defend you or delay assigning legal representation, they are acting in bad faith.

Why Auto Insurance Bad Faith Is a Focus for Collins & Collins, P.C.

Collins & Collins, P.C. is deeply committed to protecting policyholders from auto insurance bad faith practices. Auto insurers are some of the largest and most powerful corporations in the country, and they have teams of lawyers and adjusters whose job is to minimize payouts. Our firm is not afraid to take them on. We fight to ensure that our clients receive the full value of their claims, and we hold insurers accountable when they try to escape their legal and contractual responsibilities.

We are particularly motivated when insurance companies attempt to take advantage of policyholders who are struggling financially or who may not understand the complexities of insurance law. We believe that no one should have to fight their own insurance company to receive the benefits they have paid for, especially in the aftermath of an accident.

How Collins & Collins, P.C. Fights Auto Insurance Bad Faith

At Collins & Collins, P.C., we approach auto insurance bad faith cases with a combination of aggressive litigation and a deep understanding of insurance law. Here’s how we handle these cases:

Thorough Investigation: We conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of your claim, reviewing all correspondence, evidence, and relevant policy documents. We also work with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals when necessary to build a strong case.

Challenging Bad Faith Denials: Whether your insurer is refusing to pay based on a technicality or claiming you were at fault for the accident, we are prepared to challenge these assertions and fight for your rights.

Maximizing Your Compensation: Our goal is not just to recover the value of your claim but to ensure that you are fully compensated for all losses, including vehicle repairs, medical bills, lost wages, and any emotional or financial harm caused by the insurer’s misconduct.

Why Choose Collins & Collins, P.C.?

At Collins & Collins, P.C., we have a proven track record of holding insurance companies accountable for bad faith practices. We understand the tactics that insurers use to deny, delay, or reduce claims, and we know how to fight back. Our team is dedicated to protecting the rights of policyholders, ensuring that they receive the benefits they are entitled to under their auto insurance policies.

Our firm focuses on advocating for individuals against powerful institutions, including insurance companies, businesses, and corporations. We are especially driven when insurers exploit vulnerable individuals and families who are already dealing with the aftermath of a serious accident.