MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER The role of the insurance company. Their computer, redux.

In another volume, I talked about ‘Colossus’, a program used by many insurance companies, notably Allstate, to value, and many would argue, undervalue Maryland automobile accident claims. Many Maryland car accident lawyers have suggested for years the program can be manipulated to produce unfair “lowball” offers. Over the summer, a former Allstate employee gave some credence to that argument. The Chicago Tribune [6/4/12] quotes the former insurance insider as stating: “the real reason insurance companies are willing to invest millions in these [computer] systems is that they can dial down claims' payments to thousands of consumers at a time, regardless of whether these payouts are fair." Of course, there is really nothing even the most skilled Maryland car accident lawyer can do about the use of Colossus or other systems. The only real option is to reject the Colossus number, file suit, and let the jury decide the true value of a Maryland automobile accident claim.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER The role of the insurance company – What does that little umbrella

Traveler’s is the 9^th auto insurance company in this country. Maryland car accident lawyers have seen that, when trying to sell insurance and collect premiums, Traveler’s clearly acknowledges that automobile accident claims can readily be substantial. Their webpage notes “[w]hether it's a serious auto accident involving pricey medical bills or an incident on your property, you can quickly find yourself responsible for damages that exceed the limits on your auto policies. And an expensive judgment is the last thing you want to worry about.” While the statistics are not available, any Maryland car accident lawyer I know would be very interested to see the number of times a Traveler’s adjuster took the position that a plaintiff’s damages “quickly” exceeded the policy limits. In any event had an off year last year,  with only $618, million in profits, down from $895 million the year before.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER The role of the insurance company - "...bum-pa-dum-pa-dum-pum"

We are Farmers, and we make a lot of money. Farmer’s Insurance Group is the nation’s third largest auto insurance company [or fifth, depending on how you crunch the numbers]. Maryland car accident lawyers know that a few years ago, Farmers purchased 21^st Century Insurance – for 1.9 billion dollars. That sounds like a massive sum, and it is, but that’s also about what Farmer’s declared in profits -for just one recent year. Modern insurance companies are so diversified that their bottom line is not wholly dependent on limiting the amount paid out in claims, but that business model still exists. Maryland car accident lawyers are well aware that two methods to limit claim payouts [and increase profits] are to pay as little as possible per claim, or to just deny claims outright.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER Just How Accurate are the Numbers?

Several recent posts have discussed car and automobile accident statistics published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA]. Some Maryland car accident lawyers familiar with the studies have noted some anomalies. For example, the study recites that in 2010, 32,885 people died in motor vehicle accidents. The study sets forth that of that total, 32,704 were occupants of cars, trucks, riding on motorcycles or bicycles, or were pedestrians. That means that 181 people killed in a car and automobile accident were not occupants of cars, trucks, riding on motorcycles or bicycles, or were pedestrians. Some Maryland car accident lawyers have wondered where these unfortunate individuals were when they were involved in the car or automobile accident.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER -Pedestrians

I explore in another volume the particular rules applicable to pedestrians vis-à-vis Baltimore automobile accidents. Maryland car accident lawyers know that car v. pedestrian collisions occur more than one might think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], there are 82,000 car on pedestrian exchanges every year that involve personal injury. [some 225 per day]. Maryland car accident lawyers are likely also aware of the grizzly fatality numbers: 4200 pedestrians are killed each year.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER An uncomfortable topic

More than 30,000 people die each year in motor vehicle accidents, according to the NHTSA. That organization also tells us that figure included 493 Marylanders in 2010.

Amazingly, this yearly death total regularly topped 50,000 in the late 60s and early 70s. Maryland car accident lawyers are quite well aware that not all of these tragic events involved fault [e.g. the negligence of a driver in causing a Baltimore car accident]. However, some do. Although money is never a substitute for such a loss, the families and representative of a deceased typically employ a seasoned Maryland car accident lawyer to ensure a full recovery.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER What are all these statements I have to give?

Maryland car accident lawyers would probably be unanimous in telling you not to talk to anyone but them after a Baltimore car accident. At some point, your insurance company may want to take a statement from you. If you've retained a Maryland car accident lawyer to assist you, discuss the procedure and game plan, but you'll generally always need to cooperate with your insurance company. If you've filed a PIP or UM/UIM claim, your insurance company [or the insurance company you're claiming under] may want to take an examination under oath, or EUO, or what is sometimes called a recorded statement. There again, there is generally a duty to cooperate with your own insurer, and failing to do so may lead to the denial of benefits. If your Maryland car accident lawyer has filed suit on your behalf, the other side will take your deposition as part of that litigation.