Being involved in an auto accident can be a confusing time in the life of a victim, and auto insurance providers in New Jersey understand this potential. Many times, accident claims can be much more valuable than the injured realize, and insurance companies will not wait for the claimant to call them. They will reach out first, often with a low-ball offer and an amiable attitude in hopes that the injured victim will accept the claim without attaining legal counsel. The motive may be purely about profit.
Auto insurance companies are notorious for recording all phone calls in and out of the office. The purpose is to record any claimant in hopes of using a statement against them when denying a claim. This reason alone is enough to avoid talking to claims agents who are focused on settling claims as cheaply as possible, especially when they know their client is 60% or greater at fault for the accident.
New Jersey uses one of the most unusual motor vehicle accident processing rules in the nation. Any driver who is over 60% at fault for an accident is liable for 100% of the damages incurred by the injured claimant regardless of the victim’s comparative negligence percentage. This results in many insurance providers being totally responsible for paying whole damages, which they want to avoid at all costs.
Experienced New Jersey motor vehicle accident attorneys understand this tactic, and it might be determined as bad faith in certain situations. Anyone who has been injured in a car collision in New Jersey, especially in a truck accident, may want to contact an auto accident attorney as soon as possible if the insurance company calls first. It is often a red flag that the claim is very valuable.