Bad Faith and Insurance Disputes

Are you frustrated with you insurance company over a claim dispute? Have you filed a claim and now your relationship has become adversarial? If you have been treated unfairly you may be a victim of bad faith.

Bad Faith is generally used as a legal term regarding a cause of action against an insurance company that has denied the payment of a properly submitted insurance claim for no debatable reason. If you are insured by an insurance company they owe you a duty of fair dealing and good faith.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, we have experience handling all types of bad faith insurance claims, which may include the following:

• Refusing to pay for property damage claiming your coverage expired or that the damage is not covered by your policy;
• For medical treatment including denying coverage for a pre-existing condition;
• For storm damage, including  fire and hurricane claims;
• Delaying investigation or payment of a claim;
• Paying only partial benefits for a claim;
• The insurance company denying a life insurance policy. 

We have working knowledge of the issues insured's face with the following:  

• Accidental Death Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Car Insurance Claims
• Disability Insurance Claims
• Health Insurance Claims
• Homeowner’s Insurance Claims
• Life Insurance Claims
• Worker’s Compensation Claims 

If you have been a victim of an insurance company contact us today for a free no-obligation legal consultation. Our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C  handles all types of bad faith claims. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer. 

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Where to Begin Looking for Answers After a Car Accident

It is a devastating experience to be in an auto accident that results in serious injuries. You may wonder how your medical bills or even your regular bills are going to be paid while you are out of work. If your insurance company does not give you the coverage you need, how will you pay for the property damage to your car?

What happens when you are injured in an auto accident and the insurance company refuses to negotiate or settle a claim? When an insurance company intentionally delays, inconveniently defends, and purposely denies paying claims? Insurance companies generally have no problem paying out a claim, but when the policy holder is under-insured, or the accident exceeds their comfort zone of spending coverage, they are likely to refuse to pay. You, as a victim, have no other recourse but to consult an attorney.

Many people do not know where to begin looking for answers after a car accident. At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we help you find the answers. With more than 65 years of combined personal injury experience, our Biloxi car crash attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

Or, email us, like us on facebook or follow us on Linkedin. Just click below.

Do I Need A Lawyer?

Were you seriously hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault?  Is the insurance company pressuring you to accept a settlement? Are you injured and worried about not being able to work and pay your bills? Is your employer threatening to stop your workers’ compensation benefits? Are you disabled and can’t work but were denied Social Security disability benefits?

If you answered yes to any of the above statements, you may wonder if you have a case. Another common question is: Do I need a lawyer?

Dealing with paperwork, insurance claims, the government and the legal system is best left to the experts. You could try to handle everything on your own but you’re likely to make mistakes and cheat yourself out of the money you deserve.

Hopkins Barvie Hopkins has helped many people with the following types of cases:

·          Injuries and Accidents

·          Workers’ Compensation

·          Social Security Disability

Insurance companies urge you to trust them and claim they will protect you. When you’re injured in an accident, they won’t be your friends. That’s yet another reason why you may need a lawyer.

In fact, a report from the blog of CNN’s Anderson Cooper uncovered a practice used by insurance companies called The Three Ds.

Insurance companies will:

·          Delay handling your injury claim

·          Deny you were hurt in the accident

·          Defend their decision in lengthy court battles

Put simply, that’s one of the ways that insurance companies save money - by offering you less than you deserve.

In order to protect yourself and your claim, follow these tips:

1. No matter what type of case you might have, don’t sign any papers until you talk to a law firm and learn your rights.
2. Never allow an insurance company to record you “for accuracy purposes.” They’ll use it against you later.
3. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 for a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer. Every person deserves to know his or her rights and there’s no obligation to use our services.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we help you find the answers. With more than 65 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need. 

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

What to do when in a Car Accident

In Mississippi you are not required to report an auto accident to the Department of Public Safety as long as all the parties involved in the accident agree about the circumstances of the accident and the responsibilities for repairs. However, it is always a good idea to call 911 and report the accident.

If you and the other driver make a verbal agreement to let the insurance company handle things and not report the auto accident to law enforcement ask yourself these questions? Is their auto insurance up to date? Do they have auto insurance? Do they have any expired driver’s license? Do they need medical attention? Remember it never hurts to call the local law enforcement and report what happened. USA Today reported that as many as one in seven drivers have no car insurance and in Mississippi 28% of drivers are uninsured. Many drivers are skirting the system by carrying an expired or fake insurance card.

NEVER leave the accident scene as you could face criminal charges. Regardless of whether a wreck looks serious, you always have to stop, check on the other person involved and exchange insurance information. In Mississippi you must report it to the law enforcement if someone has been injured or there has been a death or the accident resulted in $500 or more in damages to the vehicles or property. If someone is injured call an ambulance as soon as possible.

If you have called the police once you have filed an accident report ask for a copy of it. If you do not get a police report documenting your accident, what proof do you have that it happened? And you insurance company will want a copy of it for your claim.

When dealing with the other driver you should always ask them as soon as possible, “Are you all right?”

Do not yell, do not lay blame on anyone and always be polite. Never admit liability or in any way say it is your fault. If you do, you are legally admitting liability, which could expose you to a law suit.

Take some deep breaths and stay as calm as possible as you need to assess the situation and document it. Be sure to collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses or others involved in the accident. If possible, take photographs to document skid marks, vehicle damage, road obstructions and injuries. Document what you were you doing just before the crash? Where were you going and what street were you on? When did you see the other driver enter into the picture? You'll need to have a consistent and accurate account of the accident to give to the law enforcement and your insurance provider.

Make sure that you get the other driver's name, address, and insurance company name and policy number. Then make notes of the make, model and color of vehicle they were driving and their license plate number. If there were any witnesses get their names and phone numbers too.

If there were severe injuries or a death has resulted from the accident you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. All too often valuable evidence disappears, witnesses move, memories grow dim and the ability to prove your case may diminish.

An experienced Personal Injury attorney can provide you guidance if you are being treated by a physician, guidance with your our medical care and help you deal with unpaid bills. Legal advice can also be useful if you have questions about the settlement value of a claim, your insurance policy's terms, or suspect bad faith on the part of your insurance company. It is a good idea to consult with a personal injury attorney before providing any other information to the insurance company.

Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses on representing individuals and their family members in personal injury and wrongful death cases, such as those often involved in auto accidents. Contact us and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                                    

Did your Insurance Company Deny your Claim?

You made an insurance claim after your auto accident and then you received a letter stating that your claim was denied. Every situation is different but we have listed some common reason that insurers give for denying claims below:

The accident was avoidable

If you could have avoided the accident, or if you did something that led to or caused it, then you may have your insurance claim denied.

Policy Exclusions

Certain types of injuries are excluded from insurance polies and are often listed in fine print. There are cases where denials of coverage are based on a technicality that is briefly described in the policy.

There was no complaint or treatment at the time of the injury

If you claim that you got injured as a direct result of the car accident, it is imperative that you go and get treatment right away. Otherwise, the insurer may argue that the injuries did not happen as a result of the accident or that the injuries are not related to the accident. If you have proof that you went to the hospital immediately after the accident and your injuries were diagnosed then, you will have a much stronger case than if you wait. If you delay, this may make the insurer believe that the injuries are made up or exaggerated to try to get a payout. Most people who are genuinely hurt do get medical care immediately.

Limited of No Medical Records

If you do not have medical records that indicate you actually suffered an injury, then your claim is very likely to be denied since you cannot prove you will be entitled to any damages. With incomplete records they may also be denied.

Pre-existing condition

If you have a pre-existing condition, the insurance company may claim that the injury did not occur on the date of the alleged accident, but is attributable to some preexisting injury or health problem.

Options after Injury Coverage Denial

If you received a notice of denial, you need to talk to your insurance company as soon as possible to find out what went wrong with your claim and what you need to do to fix it. An insurance company owes the insured a duty to act in good faith. They may breach this duty by failing to investigate a claim, failing to negotiate a settlement or unwarranted denial of injury claims.

If you have to file an insurance claim for any reason, chances are you already have suffered enough. We work to help you make sure you do not suffer again at the hands of your insurance company.  Call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. if you have been denied a legitimate insurance claim we will evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

Los Abogados Hablan Espanol

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Head, Neck, and Back Injuries

Some of the most common personal injury cases are head, neck and back injuries. These cases can be difficult to prove and many insurance companies treat them with suspicion. They require attention to detail, medical knowledge and experience, which our attorneys at Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins can provide for you. As your attorney we will fight to show how your injury has impacted your daily life and how it will impact your future.

There are a variety of types of head, neck or back injuries and some can be very serious and lead to permanent disability, mental impairment and in some cases death. You may not only be dealing with a severe injury, you may also be struggling with the financial and emotional aspects of recovering from the accident. If you or your family are coping with a head, neck or back injury you are entitled to rightful compensation.

Many head injuries result in a coma which is nightmare for both the individual and the family members who are uncertain what comes next. Neck injuries are difficult not just physically but also financially as may require frequent medical visits. Serious back injuries are among the most costly and disabling problems caused by motor vehicle accidents. Many of these accidents occur because of negligence, carelessness or indifference.

At Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins, we know how terrifying a head, neck or back injury can be and how frustrating they can be too. If it is a serious injury you and your loved ones lives can be changed forever and other injuries can cause stress, suffering and turmoil too.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a head, neck or back injury you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Boating Safety Tips

We hope you are all enjoying your summer and the many amenities the Gulf Coast has to offer. It is a great time to enjoy fishing and boating activities. Remember to follow your boating safety and wear your life jackets. Sadly, each year many people are injured and lives are lost because of preventable boating accidents.

This month’s blog we thought we would share with you a few safety tips regarding boating. For additional information you can go on line to the Boating Safety Resource Center at www.uscgboating.org/resources or other boating safety internet sites.

The following are a few safety tips:

·         Wear your life jacket.

·         Always check the weather before you go boating. Pay attention to the weather reports as unexpected weather can and does happen.

·         If you are an inexperienced boat operator take along someone with experience until you feel more comfortable handling a variety of boating situations.

·         Do not operate a boat and drink alcohol. It will slow down your reflexes and more importantly a BUI (Boating Under the Influence) is against the law.

·         Make sure you protect yourself and your passengers.

·         We recommend that you take a course in boating safety, which is also offered online.

If an accident would occur it is the responsibility of the boat operator to file a report to the state agency that covers boating, the US Coast Guard or both, depending on the situation. Remember not filing a report is a crime. In Mississippi if the accident occurs north of Interstate Highway 10 (I-10) you would file with MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks. If the accident occurs south of Interstate Highway 10 (I-10) you would file with MS Department of Marine Resources.

As personal injury attorneys, Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C.  can advise you on how to determine compensation for damages or losses. We strongly urge you to avoid making statements or signing anything related to an accident until after consulting with us. This helps to protect your legal rights.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. today for your free case evaluation with a top personal injury attorney in your area.  Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.