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What Kind of Insurance Policy Covers Dog Bites?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and 1 out of 5 of those victims require medical attention. Most dog bite cases involve a claim against the dog owner’s home insurance or renter’s insurance policy.

These types of policies typically cover up to the liability limit, which can be anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000. The dog owner will be responsible for damages that exceed any policy limits.

Starting Low

After you file the claim, an insurance adjuster will reach out to you to start the negotiation process. Just like any other insurance company, Allstate tries to minimize the amount of money it pays out in claims. They will do this by trying to find any weakness in your claim. Be aware that Allstate will use a tough strategy to try and get you to settle your claims for less than they are worth.

Never admit fault in your conversations with the adjuster. Allstate will start by offering you a low-ball settlement for your injuries. They hope that you will take this, but most of the time this first offer is not even enough to cover your expenses. If you don’t accept the initial offer, Allstate changes its approach. You can expect them to engage multiple hardball tactics to avoid paying your claim.

Honesty Is the Best Policy

It will be beneficial to your claim if you state the facts with emotion but avoid exaggerating any part of your story. Don’t omit bad facts that you think will hurt your claim. You should be honest with the insurance company if you want negotiations to continue. They are not required to continue negotiating with you.

Exercise Caution During Recovery

While you are recovering from your dog bite injury, it is important to stay away from any activity the insurance company could use against your claim.

For instance, if you state that you are limited in mobility because of the accident yet you are out jogging around the neighborhood that will hurt your claim. It is good to be aware of the types of activities you engage in while the negotiation of your claim is ongoing.

Get Help from Skilled Dallas Dog Bite Lawyers

At Zinda Law Group, our dog bite attorneys have helped countless bite victims get their lives back on track after suffering an injury.

We have the knowledge and resources to help you pursue maximum recovery for medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we achieve a favorable settlement, judgment, or verdict for your case.

If you have been injured by a dog bite, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our Dallas dog bite lawyers. Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.

Expect Back-and-Forth Negotiation

Your first demand for compensation will almost always be rejected.  Then Progressive will present you with a dramatically lower counteroffer. Don't let this surprise you or make you think that that's all your injuries are worth. 

The adjuster just wants to know how much fight you have. Show them you know what you’re doing, and are ready to go the distance, by asking them to justify their offer. As you continue in negotiations, remain confident. Continue to refer to the dog bite as an “attack” even when the adjuster calls it an “incident” or an “accident.”  If you believe your claim is valid, be respectful, but don’t roll over.

Progressive Will Continue to Undervalue Your Claim

As you continue the back and forth with Progressive, they will likely continue to offer you less than you believe your claim is worth.  You may reach the point where they decide to give a final "take it or leave it” offer. At this point, you should decide whether you are ready to accept their settlement, or whether you want to go to court. If you are unsure, you should consult with an experienced dog bite attorney who will help you review the facts of your case and make the best possible decision.

Progressive May Attempt to Discourage You from Legal Counsel

Don’t be intimidated.  The adjuster will likely try to persuade you to settle for less than your case is worth by insisting that the time and expense of hiring an attorney simply aren’t worth it.  He or she might imply that hiring a lawyer will prevent you from getting your money in a prompt manner. Remember, deciding to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit is a personal decision; do your research, don’t take the adjuster’s claims as true, and make an informed decision moving forward.

Negotiating a dog bite claim with Progressive can be difficult.  However, knowing what to expect, and preparing yourself by researching the facts of your case can give you the confidence you need to begin negotiating your rightful settlement.

Our Dallas Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help

At Zinda Law Group, our dog bite attorneys are highly experienced in successfully taking on the insurance companies, and we have helped countless dog bite victims recover compensation for damages stemming from an attack.

We will fight tirelessly to protect your legal rights and seek the maximum compensation you deserve. And as one of our clients, you will pay nothing until we achieve a favorable settlement, judgment, or verdict for your case.

Call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for your free consultation with one of our Dallas dog bite lawyers. Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.

How to Settle a Claim

Keep records and documentation of everything you spend because of the accident. Save your receipts from the auto body shop, the chiropractor, and any doctor’s visits. Document the days of work you are forced to miss because of pain or doctor’s appointments. Make notes of other ways in which the accident has negatively affected your quality of life. 

Using all that documentation as a guide, make an initial offer to GEICO.  Making the first offer will center the ensuing negotiation around your number rather than a lower number given by the claims adjuster. Don’t be afraid to demand what you believe you are owed, but don’t be outrageous. An offer of $10 million on a claim realistically worth $10,000 will get things off on the wrong foot.

Before making the initial offer, it is important that you know the absolute minimum amount that you are willing to accept to settle the claim. Knowing this will allow you to maintain focus throughout the negotiations. 

If you feel like you’ve done all that you can do and have not received a fair counteroffer from GEICO, it might be time to consider contacting a personal injury attorney.  Fair or not, GEICO adjusters will behave differently in negotiations with an experienced accident lawyer. In speaking with an attorney who has successfully negotiated with them before, adjusters may be more willing to give concessions and arrive at an offer that you are comfortable with. Whichever route you choose, don’t panic; if your demands are based on provable facts, you have a good chance of winning your claim.

Our Dallas Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Zinda Law Group, our Dallas personal injury attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to fight the insurance companies on your behalf, and we can help you seek maximum compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and any other damages stemming from the accident.

We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you’ll never pay any upfront costs, and fees are only collected if we achieve a favorable verdict, judgment, or settlement.

Call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our skilled Dallas car accident lawyers.

Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.

Negotiating an Injury Claim with State Farm

When you are injured or have property damage after a car accident, you may need to file a claim for compensation through State Farm. But like other insurance companies, State Farm can only make a profit if it takes in more money through premium payments than it pays out through claims. Therefore, you can expect that State Farm–or more specifically, the claims adjuster assigned to your case–will attempt to get you to settle your claim for as little as possible. Your adjuster knows that the more of a financial bind you are in, the more likely it is that you will accept a low but immediate payment on your claim, as opposed to waiting for a higher settlement.

Although State Farm and other large insurers often use computer programs to determine what they consider to be a “fair” settlement of your claim, you can negotiate a better settlement with State Farm. Be prepared for a fight, however. Your adjuster may be unwilling to budge initially. You may be able to obtain a better settlement if you employ the following strategies.

Document as Much as Possible

If at all possible, take your own photographs of the car accident scene, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries. Sometimes an adjuster will not visit you to see the damage until days after the accident. In that interim, your wounds may have begun to heal or the car may have been repaired a bit. By taking pictures as soon as possible after the accident, you have proof of the severity of the accident and can use these photographs to negotiate a higher, more appropriate settlement amount.

Determine a Minimum Settlement Amount

It is very hard to negotiate over anything if you do not know what you want and what you need. Before you begin speaking with your adjuster about a settlement, take a moment and consider how much your claim is really worth.

• How much did you pay in medical bills and repair bills?
• How much time did you miss from work?
• What other losses or expenses did you suffer?

Tally these up and offer them as a settlement. What is the least amount you will accept? While you can expect your initial offer to be turned down, you should not feel compelled to accept State Farm’s counteroffer if it is too low.

Keep Your Story Straight

State Farm may attempt to get you to change your story of how the accident happened as a way to justify giving you a lower settlement amount. Stick to your guns, though. It is helpful to write down a narrative of how the accident occurred as soon as you can after the accident, and then refer to it often if your adjuster asks you how the accident happened.

Get Help from San Antonio Injury Lawyers

After a car accident, it is reasonable that arguing and haggling with an adjuster over a settlement amount is not high on your list of priorities.

At Zinda Law Group, our San Antonio personal injury attorneys can help you seek a fair settlement from State Farm by negotiating with your adjuster on your behalf. Where a settlement cannot be reached or is not in your best interest, we can explore other options with you by which you can obtain compensation.

Call our No Win No Fee Lawyers today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our San Antonio personal injury lawyers.

Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.

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Consider These Important Factors

The settlement offer made by your Liberty Mutual claims adjuster may be too low to adequately compensate you for your losses. You may be able to secure a higher settlement amount if you do the following:

Document Everything

Taking pictures of the accident scene and your injuries as soon as you can after the incident can help you during the negotiation process. By the time your adjuster views your car or visits you, injuries may have begun to heal and the car may have been cleaned up a bit. By taking pictures and showing them to the adjuster, you may be able to convince the adjuster his or her initial settlement amounts were not adequate given the severity of the car crash.

Appear Resolved and Tenacious

Trials are expensive for all parties involved, including insurance companies. Liberty Mutual Insurance does not want a claim to go to trial, especially if the claim is valid and the injured party (you) are likely to win. By insisting on fair and full compensation and showing that you are not willing to settle your claim for less than you need, you make it more likely that your negotiations with your adjuster will end favorably for you.

Determine a Minimum Settlement Figure

You cannot negotiate in any matter if you do not know what you need and what you are willing to part with. Before you even begin the negotiation process, take some time and tally up the costs of your car accident--medical expenses, lost wages, damage to your car, pain and suffering--and use these to arrive at a settlement figure. Know what you are willing to compromise on but do not compromise on those expenses and losses that are legitimate and certain.

Our Dallas Injury Lawyers Can Help

At Zinda Law Group, our Dallas personal injury attorneys have successfully taken on Liberty Mutual and countless other insurance companies. We fight tirelessly to protect the legal rights of our clients, and we have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

If you have been injured, you don't have to take on the insurance companies alone. Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our skilled Dallas personal injury lawyers. Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.