What Does It Mean When an Insurance Company Accepts Liability

What Does It Mean When an Insurance Company Accepts Liability For a Property Damage Claim?

Insurance Liability Claims

Many of our personal injury clients at Halvorsen Klote are surprised to learn that when an insurance carrier accepts liability for their property damage claim in their car accident case, they aren’t accepting liability for the personal injuries the accident has caused. Understanding what does it mean when an insurance company accepts liability is crucial. It signifies that the insurance company acknowledges their policyholder is legally responsible for the property damage. However, this does not extend to accepting liability for personal injury claims resulting from the same accident.

To best ensure that the party that caused your injuries in a car wreck is held responsible for their actions, you should immediately retain an experienced car accident injury lawyer. Our car accident attorneys have experience representing auto wreck injury victims like you and have the skill and expertise needed to ensure that you’re compensated for both your property damages and personal injuries.

Damaged roof with an insurance contract, illustrating an insurance company's liability acceptance.

An insurance carrier that accepts liability for your property damages doesn’t automatically accept liability for your personal injuries. When an insurance company denies liability for personal injuries, it means they refuse to take responsibility for the injuries you sustained in the accident. This is a common scenario in many insurance claims, where the insurer will separate property damage from personal injury claims to limit their payout. Before discussing some tactics insurance carriers use to avoid liability for your personal injuries, it’s important to note that property damage claims are distinct from personal injury claims.

Thus, when an insurance carrier accepts liability for a party’s property damages, they never automatically accept liability for the personal injuries caused by the accident because they are two distinct issues. It is essential to file a claim separately for personal injuries to seek compensation.

The insurance carrier for the party that caused the accident often deliberately omits accepting responsibility for your personal injuries for a few reasons.

  • First, your personal injuries are probably more expensive than your property damages. Property damages from a car wreck usually top out at tens of thousands of dollars, whereas personal injuries may cost millions of dollars. Insurance companies are aware that settlement offers for personal injury claims can be significantly higher due to the need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care.
  • Second, property damages are easier to calculate, as they can only cost as much as replacing your property, but your personal injuries may require detailed calculations to be quantified as they often need to be projected for the rest of your life. This complexity in determining the true cost of personal injuries gives insurance companies an incentive to deny liability or delay settlement offers for injury claims.
Insurance contract next to a damaged roof, signifying the acceptance of a property damage claim

There are several common tactics used by insurance companies to avoid liability for causing your personal injuries.

  • The first tactic insurance companies use to avoid accepting liability for a car accident victim’s injuries is to accept liability for someone’s property damages, but have them sign a document stating that the payment for property damages encompasses the entire settlement. If this surprises you, you’re not alone. Insurance carriers count on accident victims’ confusion when exercising this tactic. Unfortunately, unaware and inattentive car accident victims often sign these documents and are thereby prevented from recovering for their personal injuries. This highlights the importance of consulting an injury lawyer before agreeing to any settlement offer.
  • The second tactic insurance carriers use when attempting to avoid liability for someone’s personal injuries is to wage “trench warfare” against his or her claim. When using this tactic, the insurance carrier will attempt to introduce anything that downplays the severity or existence of your personal injuries to a court or in negotiations to reduce the value of your claim and is content to “wait you out” in an effort to force you to accept a reduced settlement. Insurance companies know that you may be facing financial difficulties from lost wages and mounting medical bills and will use that as leverage while waiting you out. In such cases, it is often necessary to file a lawsuit to ensure that your injury claims are taken seriously and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

If an insurance carrier has accepted liability for the property damage you’ve suffered in a car accident but is refusing to accept liability for your personal injuries, you need to get their attention by retaining our smart and aggressive car accident attorneys at Halvorsen Klote. Our experienced injury lawyers understand the tactics used by insurance companies and are prepared to fight for your rights. We can help you navigate the complexities of your injury case, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve for your personal injuries.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Halvorsen Klote now for a FREE CONSULTATION and case review. We are here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you - let us help you file a claim and hold the responsible party legally accountable.