Does A Computer Program Determine the Value of a Personal Injury Case?
The use of settlement software by the insurance industry is a well-kept secret, generally. Allstate, which is believed to still use a specific computer program to arrive at a settlement offer-called Colossus- has been compelled by regulatory authorities to disclose the use of the system. Indeed, they now send you a letter if they stating their intention to use the program or software to evaluate your claim. Other insurance companies do not have to make such disclosures, and the specific use of the programs is tightly guarded. As Attorney Eric T. Kirk will tell you.
It is generally believed that the various systems take into account personal injury settlement values from your specific jurisdiction.
I’ve discussed in other chapters the role of venue, i.e. where the personal injury litigation is going to occur, in evaluating the worth of a claim. It’s a confluence of economics, politics and other factors, but the end result is that some jurisdictions are more favorable for plaintiffs, others for defendants.
What one is likely to get at trial, based on experience, is a factor that a seasoned personal injury litigator will use to determine if a particular settlement offer is reasonable. The conventional wisdom is that juries in urban areas are generally more favorably inclined to Plaintiffs, whereas suburban or rural juries are generally more conservative. Obviously, that wisdom is of little real assistance if your case is being tried before a district court judge, of, in federal court where the jurors don’t necessarily come from the county where the accident occurred. A reasonable settlement offer in a typical personal injury or motor vehicle accident case might be fair in one jurisdiction, but unreasonably low in a jurisdiction known to be friendlier to plaintiffs. But where your personal injury case might go to trial is but one factor that an experienced lawyer will consider in assessing the value and strength of your case.
In more than 25 years I’ve managed thousands of cases. I invite all future clients to participate in a case examination and strategy discussion- at no cost. Get in touch with me today to arrange a time to meet. 410 591 2835, or simply complete the form at the bottom of the page.
- Baltimore Personal Injury Trial Lawyer Eric T. Kirk
- Legal Analysis & Case Studies
- Baltimore Insurance Claims Denial Lawyer
For over three decades, I have battled against the nation’s largest insurance companies, always endeavoring to ensure my clients receive the compensation they deserve. As lead counsel in thousands of cases across Maryland, New York, and Florida, I have recovered millions for clients whose claims were wrongfully denied and delayed. Whether denying fair compensation for a personal injury victim or denying benefits to a homeowner, Insurance companies employ policy exclusions, technicalities, and lowball offers to deny and defeat claims. They also hire very good lawyers to fight you in court. So should you. When an insurance company unfairly rejects a claim, I stop them.
