How Our Lawyers Handle an Allstate Injury Claim

How Our Lawyers Handle an Allstate Injury Claim

As one of the largest auto insurance companies in the United States, Allstate insures millions of drivers nationwide. With catchy slogans like "you're in good hands," you might expect Allstate to have your best interests at heart if you're injured in an accident with one of their policyholders.

Unfortunately, that is often not the case. Like many big insurance companies, Allstate frequently tries to minimize payouts to accident victims to boost their bottom line.

At the Francis Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys have gone up against Allstate countless times on behalf of clients in Southlake, Dallas, Fort Worth, and throughout Texas.

We know the tactics Allstate uses to avoid paying fair settlements, and we fight aggressively to ensure our clients receive the full and fair compensation they deserve. If you've been hurt in an accident and Allstate insures the at-fault driver, here's what you can expect when you hire our firm to handle your injury claim.

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How Texas Insurance Laws Impact Your Allstate Injury Claim

Texas is a fault state for car insurance. This means that after a crash, injured parties typically file claims against the at-fault driver's auto insurance, which pays for their accident-related expenses.

All Texas drivers are required to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of:

• $30,000 per person for bodily injury
• $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

While these are the minimum coverage amounts, many drivers wisely purchase policies with higher limits. This provides greater financial protection in the event of a serious crash.

In addition to liability coverage, Texas law requires insurance companies to offer a minimum of $2,500 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to their policies. However, it’s not mandatory for drivers in Texas to carry PIP. Those who don’t wish to carry PIP must specifically decline it in writing. PIP is a no-fault coverage that can help pay for your medical bills and other damages after an accident, regardless of who was to blame.

If an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you in Texas, you can turn to your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is optional coverage, but one that can provide critical financial protection if you are seriously injured by a driver with little or no insurance. Our attorneys will review all relevant insurance policies and identify every potential source of compensation for your injuries.

Steps for Filing an Allstate Insurance Claim in Texas

If you've been hurt in an accident caused by an Allstate policyholder in Texas, protecting your rights starts with immediately notifying Allstate. You can report your accident to Allstate online, through their mobile app, or by calling 1-255-7828.

When you contact Allstate, provide only the basic facts about the accident, such as when and where it occurred. Do not go into detail about the cause of the crash or the extent of your injuries. Never admit fault or apologize, as doing so could jeopardize your claim. Simply tell the representative that you have been in an accident with one of their policyholders and that you are in the process of hiring an attorney. Then let your lawyer handle all further communications with Allstate.

It's critical that you seek medical attention promptly after your accident, even if you think your injuries are minor. This protects both your health and your legal rights. Be sure to tell your doctor you were in an accident and follow through with all recommended treatment and follow-up appointments. Keep copies of your medical records and bills to document the care you receive.

How Allstate Adjusters Approach Injury Claims

Once your accident is reported, Allstate will assign a claims adjuster to investigate. The adjuster may contact you asking for a recorded statement about how the accident occurred and the injuries you suffered. Politely decline this request and refer the adjuster to your attorney.

Adjusters are trained to use accident victims’ own words against them to minimize Allstate's liability.

When our firm represents you, we will provide Allstate with the information they need to process your claim without putting your case at risk.

To determine the value of your claim, the Allstate adjuster will likely use a computer program called Colossus.

By inputting data about your injuries and treatment, Colossus generates a settlement range for your claim. Unfortunately, this program tends to spit out lowball settlement offers that fail to fully account for accident victims' damages—especially harder-to-quantify damages like pain and suffering.

Our attorneys understand how Colossus works and know how to make sure all your damages are properly documented and accounted for.

Once the adjuster completes their investigation, they may offer an initial settlement. Never accept Allstate's first offer without speaking to an attorney. These offers are almost always far less than accident victims are entitled to, and settling too quickly can limit your options for obtaining more compensation down the road if your injuries turn out to be more costly and long-lasting than you originally suspected.

At the Francis Firm, we will thoroughly evaluate your damages and recommend whether to accept or reject Allstate's offer. We will handle all settlement discussions with Allstate, fighting tenaciously for an optimal outcome on your behalf.

How Our Attorneys Build Strong Cases Against Allstate

Allstate did not grow into a multibillion-dollar corporation by rolling over and paying the full value of every claim without a fight. To prevail against a big insurance company like Allstate, it takes a law firm with extensive resources and a willingness to go the distance for their clients. That's what you'll find at the Francis Firm.

How Our Lawyers Handle Allstate Injury Claims

The personal injury lawyers at Francis Firm deal with insurance companies like Allstate all the time. We understand the games they play to deny or devalue accident claims. When you retain us for your injury claim, we will begin right away to assist you in the following ways:

Investigate Your Accident

We will launch our own investigation into the accident. We will review the accident report, your medical records, eyewitness accounts, photographs of the scene, and any other evidence available. We may call accident reconstruction or medical experts to help establish negligence and further strengthen your claim.

Value Your Claim

Our lawyers will assess your injuries, review your medical records, and discuss them with medical professionals to understand all the damages you have suffered and the lasting impact they might have on you and your family.

We will consider all the damages you may be eligible for. For example, the main types of damages available in a Texas personal injury claim include:

• Economic Damages: Economic damages are meant to compensate the injured party for the quantifiable financial losses they have incurred as a result of the accident. Examples of economic damages include:
  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages and income
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident

• Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are intended to compensate the injured party for the intangible losses they have suffered due to the accident. These damages can be more difficult to quantify but are nonetheless important for helping the victim recover from the trauma of the accident. Examples of non-economic damages include:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium (damage to the victim's relationship with their spouse)
  • Disfigurement or scarring

• Punitive Damages: In rare cases where the defendant's conduct was particularly egregious or intentional, the court may award punitive damages to the injured party. Punitive damages do not compensate the victim for their losses but rather punish the defendant for their wrongdoing and deter similar behavior.

Allstate, on the other hand, values injury claims less personally. The company calculates damages using the Colossus software system, which creates a value for your claim based on an analysis of past car accident claims and your medical records. The adjuster plugs this information into the system and answers prompts, such as the type of medical treatment you received or if you were hospitalized.

Then the computer spits out a value range, which the adjuster uses to make you an offer, usually pulling from the lower end of the range and not taking into account the lasting impact of your injuries on you and your family.

Negotiate with Allstate for a Fair Settlement

Our lawyers are skilled negotiators and can go head-to-head with Allstate adjusters, using evidence to support your claim for maximum compensation. Negotiations may require some back-and-forth, but we won’t back down until a fair offer is reached.

Represent You in Court if Necessary

If Allstate refuses to make a fair settlement offer, we will file your case in civil court. Most accident claims are settled out of court. Trials are expensive and time-consuming. But if your case does reach the courtroom, our lawyers will represent you before a judge and jury and never stop fighting for your right to fair compensation.

What Should I Do If Allstate Offers Me Compensation to Settle My Injury Claim Before I’ve Contacted a Lawyer?

You should generally not accept the first settlement offer from Allstate or any other insurance company after an accident without first consulting an attorney. Here's why:

• Lowball offers are common: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts whenever possible. Their initial settlement offer is almost always lower than what your claim is truly worth.
• You may not know the full extent of your damages: In the days and weeks after an accident, it can be difficult to predict the full scope of your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages. If you settle too quickly, you may discover that your damages are more extensive than you originally thought, but it will be too late to seek additional compensation.
• You have the right to negotiate: Remember, you are not obligated to accept Allstate's first offer. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can negotiate for a higher settlement that more fully accounts for your past, current, and future damages.
• Accepting a settlement may waive your rights: When you accept a settlement offer, you will likely be required to sign a release that waives your right to pursue any further compensation related to the accident. This means that even if you incur additional accident-related expenses down the road, you cannot seek payment from Allstate.
• An attorney can advise you of your options: Before accepting a settlement offer, consult with a personal injury lawyer to get a professional opinion on its fairness and learn about your legal options for pursuing maximum compensation. Your attorney can also handle negotiations with Allstate on your behalf and advise you of the risks and benefits of accepting a particular offer.

It's natural to want to resolve your injury claim quickly, especially if you are facing mounting medical bills and missing time from work. However, accepting the first settlement offer from Allstate is rarely in your best interests.

Instead, take the time to consult with an attorney, understand the full value of your claim, and negotiate for the settlement you deserve. At the Francis Firm, we offer free consultations to help accident victims explore their legal rights and options. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help with your Allstate injury claim.

Talk to a Texas Injury Lawyer Before Dealing with Allstate on Your Own

Allstate may say, "You're in good hands," but too often, accident victims find themselves empty-handed when trying to obtain fair compensation from Allstate on their own. At the Francis Firm, we understand the hardball tactics Allstate uses to limit payouts, and we fight back with an array of legal strategies designed to protect our clients' rights and interests.

If you were hurt in an accident caused by an Allstate policyholder in Southlake, Dallas, Fort Worth, or anywhere in Texas, don't go up against the insurance giant alone. Contact the experienced injury attorneys at the Francis Firm today at (817) 329-9001 or through our online form for a free consultation. We will review your case and advise you of your legal options for pursuing the financial security you need to move forward after a serious accident.