When you’ve been seriously injured in Spokane, Washington, the last thing you expect is a battle with your own insurance company. After a car crash, slip and fall, or other personal injury, you turn to your insurer or the at-fault party’s provider for compensation. But what happens when they refuse to pay fairly or stall your claim without good reason?
This is where a Spokane personal injury attorney can make a world of difference—especially when it comes to bad faith insurance litigation. Skilled attorneys not only help you fight for the maximum settlement but also hold insurers accountable when they act in bad faith.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down how Spokane injury attorneys maximize settlements, explain the legal concept of insurance bad faith, and help you understand when and why litigation may be your most powerful option.
What Is a Personal Injury Settlement?
A personal injury settlement is the monetary compensation awarded to someone injured by another’s negligence. It may include payment for:
Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Property damage
Loss of consortium
Settlements are typically reached out of court between your attorney and the insurance company. But when negotiations fail—or the insurer refuses to act fairly—litigation becomes necessary.
The Role of a Spokane Personal Injury Attorney
Experienced Spokane personal injury lawyers are more than legal advisors—they're your advocate, negotiator, and protector. Here’s what they do:
Case Investigation & Evidence Collection
They gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert opinions to build a solid liability case.
Damage Calculation
They assess both economic and non-economic damages, including long-term care costs and emotional impact.
Insurance Negotiation
They deal directly with the insurer—often stopping adjuster tactics designed to confuse or intimidate you.
Litigation Preparation
If negotiations fail, your attorney can file a lawsuit, represent you in court, and potentially pursue a bad faith claim if the insurer acted unlawfully.
How Insurance Companies Devalue or Deny Claims
Insurance companies make profits by paying out as little as possible. Here are some common tactics they use in Spokane and across Washington:
Delaying claim responses
Denying liability without a valid reason
Offering lowball settlements
Requesting unnecessary paperwork
Blaming the victim
Misrepresenting policy coverage
Failing to conduct a proper investigation
If your insurer or the other party’s insurance provider uses these strategies, it could be a sign of bad faith.
What Is Bad Faith Insurance?
Bad faith insurance occurs when an insurance company fails to uphold its legal obligation to deal fairly with its policyholder or a claimant. This includes both first-party claims (you vs. your insurer) and third-party claims (you vs. someone else’s insurer).
Bad faith might involve:
Unjustified denial of coverage
Deliberate delay in payments
Failure to properly investigate your claim
Refusal to settle when liability is clear
Offering unreasonably low amounts
Threatening or misleading statements
Washington State Laws on Insurance Bad Faith
Washington state law provides strong consumer protections against insurance bad faith.
Key Legal Statutes
RCW 48.30.010 – Prohibits unfair insurance practices
WAC 284-30-330 – Lists specific unfair claims settlement practices
Washington Insurance Fair Conduct Act (IFCA) – Allows policyholders to sue for bad faith
These laws allow injured Spokane residents to seek additional damages beyond their initial claim—including punitive damages, emotional distress, and attorney’s fees.
Signs Your Insurance Company May Be Acting in Bad Faith
Here’s what to watch for:
Unreasonable Delays: They keep asking for more documentation without explanation.
Inadequate Investigations: No follow-up calls, interviews, or review of key evidence.
Contradictory Reasons for Denial: They change their explanation each time you inquire.
Low Settlement Offers: The offer doesn’t even cover your medical bills.
Intimidation or Threats: They try to scare you into settling or not pursuing your claim.
Ignoring Communications: Repeated voicemails, emails, or letters go unanswered.
If these sound familiar, contact a Spokane personal injury attorney immediately.
Steps Spokane Injury Lawyers Take to Maximize Settlements
1. Document All Losses
Your attorney will thoroughly document:
Emergency and ongoing medical treatment
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering using personal journals and psychological records
2. Hire Medical and Accident Experts
Expert witnesses—like orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and accident reconstruction specialists—can strengthen your case’s value.
3. Demand Letters That Set the Tone
A strong demand letter includes:
Legal arguments
Damage calculations
Evidence summaries
A specific settlement amount
This shows the insurance company your lawyer is serious—and prepared to go to trial.
4. Identify Bad Faith Early
Experienced lawyers recognize bad faith quickly and call it out—often pushing insurers to settle just to avoid exposure.
5. File a Lawsuit if Needed
If negotiations stall, Spokane injury lawyers don’t hesitate to file suit and escalate to litigation, which puts pressure on insurers to settle fairly.
When to Pursue a Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit
You may consider a separate bad faith lawsuit if:
The insurer flatly denies a valid claim
They delay payments without reason
They refuse to settle for a clear-cut liability case
You’ve suffered financial loss due to their actions
Your personal injury attorney can file two lawsuits: one for the injury and one for bad faith, maximizing your potential recovery.
Real-Life Examples
Example 1: Car Accident Denied Without Justification
A Spokane resident suffers a spinal injury in a rear-end crash. The at-fault driver’s insurance company denies liability, claiming “insufficient evidence,” despite a police report and eyewitnesses. The lawyer files a bad faith lawsuit and recovers triple damages, including punitive compensation.
Example 2: Delayed Payments on a Clear Injury Claim
After a fall at a Spokane grocery store, an insurer delays payments for nine months. Medical bills go to collections. The attorney sues for bad faith and recovers both the original settlement and additional damages for emotional distress.
How Much More Can You Recover with a Bad Faith Claim?
Bad faith lawsuits can significantly increase compensation. You may recover:
Original claim value
Attorney’s fees
Emotional distress
Punitive damages
Interest and penalties
This can double or triple the total amount you receive—especially in cases with clear wrongdoing by the insurer.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
When you’re injured, you deserve more than just a payout—you deserve fairness, respect, and justice. Unfortunately, many Spokane residents face uphill battles with insurance companies that delay, deny, or lowball legitimate claims. That’s where experienced Spokane personal injury attorneys come in.
By aggressively negotiating, documenting your case, and pursuing bad faith insurance litigation when necessary, they help you recover the full value you’re owed—and then some.
? Ready to Maximize Your Settlement?
Don’t fight the insurance company alone. If you believe your injury claim is being mishandled, contact a Spokane personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.
To know more details, contact us
Name Of Law Firm: Bond Legal Injury Attorneys
Address: 601 W 1st Ave Suite 1400, Spokane, WA 99201, United States
Phone: (509) 404-0865
Website URL: https://attorneysfortheinjured.com/
