Car accidents can cause serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries - even death. Automobile insurance companies make money by denying and avoiding claims and by minimizing legitimate injuries. An individual dealing with an insurance company is at a huge disadvantage without a knowledgeable auto collision attorney on his or her side.
Injured people often find it trying dealing not only with the insurance company for the at-fault driver, but also with their own insurance company. The attorneys at Hallman and Dretke deal with auto insurance issues, including uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection and liability coverage, on a constant basis. They have represented injured people in state and federal trial courts throughout Oregon as well as before the Oregon Supreme Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Allstate, State Farm, Farmers, Safeco - The attorneys at Hallman and Dretke have gone up against them all. An insurance company's goal is to pay as little as possible on a claim; our goal is to maximize our client's recovery so they can focus on healing.
Caution
After a car accident, a representative of the negligent party's auto insurance company may call and make a settlement offer. Please remember that signing a release of your personal injury claim, in exchange for an insurance company check, may extinguish your personal injury claim forever. Also keep in mind that insurance companies are businesses. Therefore, even if the insurance company makes what you believe is a reasonable settlement offer, it may be in your best interests to contact the lawyers at Hallman & Dretke, who will evaluate your case and put your interests ahead of the insurance company's.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do Right After a Car Accident?
What Should I Know About the Other Driver's Insurance Company?
What is UM/UIM Insurance?
Will My Health Insurance Company Be Reimbursed from My Case?
What Should I Do Right After a Car Accident?
What Should I Know About the Other Driver's Insurance Company?
First of all, you should know that insurance companies are in the business of making money. The insurance industry is among the most profitable in the nation. They accomplish this by maximizing what they collect in premiums and minimizing what they pay out for claims. They often deny claims without even investigating whether they're valid, because most people (mostly those without a lawyer) will not fight the denial. In other cases they admit their insured was at fault, but offer only a modest sum to settle the case (a nuisance value). This offer can be very tempting to an injured person who is facing expensive medical bills and lost income from time off work. Do not be lulled into a quick settlement, however, before you have contacted a lawyer at Hallman & Dretke. They can advise you of your rights, and help you obtain a fair settlement.
What is UM/UIM Insurance?
Your first recourse if you are injured in a car accident is the insurance company for the other driver. If his or her level of insurance does not adequately compensate you, however, you can look to your own insurance if you have Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. This is meant to assist if you are hurt by a driver with inadequate (or nonexisting) insurance.
The lawyers at Hallman & Dretke will help you evaluate whether you have a UM/UIM case in addition to a liability case against the other driver. If so, after the other driver's insurance has settled its portion of the case, we will pursue further compensation from your own insurance company, under UM/UIM coverage.
Will My Health Insurance Company Be Reimbursed from My Case?
Oregon law requires reimbursement of most payments made by insurers on your behalf, including those of health insurance companies. So when a settlement occurs, or money is obtained from a verdict, your lawyers must evaluate what reimbursements must be made, and pay those directly from the proceeds of the case.
While lawyers have no choice but to make these reimbursements, the lawyers at Hallman & Dretke carefully scrutinize each payment to make sure it is legally eligible for reimbursement, so you do not pay more than absolutely required under Oregon law.
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Hallman & Drekte Trial Lawyers
104 Southeast 5th St.
Pendleton, OR 97801
Tel:541.276.3857