If your insurance company wrongly denied your claim, you may be wondering how to find the best bad faith insurance lawyer. Bad faith insurance claims can be legally and factually complex matters to investigate and litigate. There are many ways you can find a top-notch bad faith insurance lawyer. Conducting an internet search is a good first step. Setting up a consultation with an attorney and preparing questions to ask him or her can help you find a good fit. Experienced and qualified representation is essential, so it’s important to find a bad faith insurance lawyer that you can trust.
How to Find the Best Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer in Nevada
Insurance carriers fiercely defend bad faith insurance claims because they know that they face high legal and financial exposure. Most insurance companies spare no expense defending bad faith insurance claims, hiring aggressive law firms that will use shady tactics to win. As such, you should consider a variety of factors before hiring a bad faith insurance lawyer. After all, you will likely be working with the lawyer you choose for months or longer.
Questions to Ask a Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer
When you meet with a lawyer, you can bring a list of questions to ask him or her during the consultation. The focus of the meeting doesn’t have to only be on your case. In fact, it can be helpful to ask the lawyer questions to make sure that he or she is a good fit.
Here are some questions that you can ask the attorney. First, you should ask a lawyer how many bad faith insurance cases he or she has litigated or settled. You can ask if he or she has litigated cases before a judge or a jury. This may give you a good sense of whether the attorney is experienced and serious.
Next, you can also ask the lawyer about the results he or she has obtained in prior cases through settlements or trial. These results can allow you to evaluate the attorney’s negotiation and litigation skills. It is also advisable to ask a lawyer how they will build and prepare your case. This can give you an idea of the type of investigative skills the attorney possesses.
Asking the lawyer to provide you with an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your case is also a good idea. Lastly, ask the attorney the fee that he or she charges to handle bad faith insurance claims.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
A common question people ask is, “How do insurance companies act in bad faith”? Under Nevada law, insurance companies must fairly and efficiently handle and payout on insurance claims. If they deny a claim, they must have a reasonable basis for doing so, and fairly and accurately tell the insured why they denied the claim.
Generally, bad faith claims occur when an insurance carrier refuses to provide benefits pursuant to an insurance policy, or fails to investigate, settle, or defend a claim. These bad faith practices often require the policyholder to defend or pay the claim out of his or her own pocket. Another form of bad faith is when an insurance carrier attempts to settle a claim for less than the claim’s full value. Unscrupulous insurance companies do this to save money and earn more profit.
What Does a Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer Do?
A bad faith insurance lawyer investigates the facts of your case and may bring a claim on your behalf. He or she might do this through an out-of-court settlement or by filing a lawsuit. Proving your insurance company acted in bad faith requires your attorney to gather evidence that shows your insurance company denied your claim without a valid reason or attempted to mislead you regarding your insurance policy. Your attorney will then have to review any documents or communications you had with your insurance carrier. If the parties can’t reach a settlement, your attorney may litigate your case and gather additional evidence using discovery tools to build a strong case for trial.
How Much Does a Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer Cost?
In most cases, a bad faith insurance attorney represents you on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, you do not pay any money upfront. What’s more, your attorney doesn’t receive any money in legal fees unless and until he or she wins your case, and you receive compensation.
Additionally, your attorney most likely covers the up-front costs of your case. These might include filing fees, discovery, and litigation expenses such as depositions and expert witness testimony. If your attorney is unable to obtain a favorable judgment in court, you typically do not owe any legal fees.
