Many people—the same ones who faithfully pay their insurance premiums on time every single month—are shocked and surprised to find that when a car accident occurs, that same insurance company may be nothing at all like their friendly portrayal on television. After all, we are inundated with insurance commercials which tell us over and over they will “be there” for us in a crisis. In reality, many insurance companies make it as difficult as possible for the claimant, delaying payment and attempting to pay as little as possible. Insurance companies may also dispute the level of injury you suffered, may ask to see your medical records, even from before the accident, and can ask you to give a recorded statement (which you are not obligated to do, and should not do without speaking to an attorney).

Further, your insurance company will not assist you with your claim because doing so is not in their best interests. Like many things in life, the bottom line is money, and your insurance company will protect their own financial interests before yours every time. If an uninsured or underinsured driver hit you, you may be filing on your own insurance, under your uninsured/underinsured motorist protection benefits, and may find your insurance company even more recalcitrant. The bottom line is that you should not expect your insurance company to be your friend, or to look out for your interests or even to be on your side after an auto accident. What you can count on, is a knowledgeable Tennessee personal injury attorney to fight for your rights and for your future.

About Our Firm

Travelers Insurance

Travelers Insurance is an American insurance company, founded in 1864 by a stonecutter named James Batterson. With a history of mergers, acquisitions and spin-offs, Travelers remains a major contender in the insurance business. In 1865, Travelers began selling life insurance, making it the first company in the United States to offer more than one type of insurance. The founder, James Batterson, died in 1901, and by that time, Travelers had expanded to offer health insurance, auto insurance and liability insurance. By 1919, Travelers became the first company to sell aviation insurance, even underwriting the Manhattan Project during World War II.

The red umbrella logo Travelers now sports did not come into being until 1960, and is meant to symbolize the protection offered by the company. After suffering a series of unfortunate real estate losses, Travelers was acquired by Primerica in 1993, who then renamed itself Travelers Group, later buying the casualty and property insurance businesses of the Aetna Life and Casualty Company. Travelers Group then merged with Citicorp in 1998, forming Citigroup, then “spun off” a property and casualty insurance business known once again as Travelers—Travelers Property Casualty Corporation.

Travelers Reviews

The customer satisfaction ratings of Travelers Insurance are average or above, and has fewer customer complaints than other companies of a similar size. In rankings of the best car insurance companies, Travelers rated 14^th, and is the sixth-largest homeowner’s insurance provider by market share. Travelers offers such auto insurance options as gap insurance which protects your auto lease or loan, ridesharing insurance for those who drive for companies like Uber or Lyft, and a program known as IntelliDrive which tracks your mileage and offers a discount as high as 30 percent for those who drive less than 13,000 miles per year.

Causes of Auto Accidents

Auto accidents can be extremely traumatic for those involved, and can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes of auto accidents include the following:

• Distracted driving is more and more often the cause of motor vehicle accidents. We are a multi-tasking society, and spend a considerable amount of time behind the wheel eating, talking to passengers, talking on the phone, texting, fiddling with the radio or GPS, and even applying makeup and reading! Distracted driving is now one of the leading causes of car collisions in the country, despite bans against texting across the U.S.
• Driver fatigue is another cause of motor vehicle accidents. According to the NHTSA, driver fatigue causes approximately 100,000 traffic crashes every year, with most of the accidents caused by driver fatigue occurring between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times, can misjudge traffic, and can drift in and out of lanes—all dangerous behaviors for a person behind the wheel of an automobile.
• Inclement weather, such as high winds, dense fog, snow, ice and heavy rain can all contribute to auto accidents, particularly among drivers who fail to reduce their speed to account for bad weather conditions.
• Reckless or aggressive driving includes such behaviors as tailgating, running red lights, changing lanes frequently, and failing to obey traffic signs and traffic laws.
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is also a major cause of auto accidents. Every 51 minutes in the U.S., a person dies in an alcohol-related automobile accident. Driver’s reaction times as well as their ability to focus on the road and drivers around them are significantly impaired by drugs or alcohol, even prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs.
• Excessive speed causes a significant number of auto accidents every year, particularly because excessive speed affects the ability to stop quickly in an emergency or to steer around dangerous objects. Further, the severity of an auto collision increases in vehicles driving at a higher rate of speed.

How Martinson & Beason Can Help After Your Auto Accident

Whatever the cause of your auto accident, it is important that you contact an experienced Tennessee car accident attorney from Martinson & Beason as soon as possible. You only have a relatively narrow window of time—known as the statute of limitations—in which to file a claim for your accident, and if you are filing under your own insurance for uninsured or underinsured, it can be even more difficult to secure an equitable settlement for your injuries. The Martinson & Beason attorneys will ensure you are treated fairly following your accident, and that you receive the medical treatment you need. We truly do care about your future, and will work hard on your behalf to make that future one in which you are not injured and buried under a pile of medical expenses. We will take care of the details of your auto accident while you allow yourself the time to heal from your injuries. To speak to a top-rated personal injury attorney, call Martinson & Beason today.

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