As a responsible driver, you have auto insurance that, at the very least, meets the state minimum requirements. You may also have additional coverage or policies for specific situations. In the event you’re in a crash, you expect that coverage, or the coverage of the other driver, to take care of your expenses. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
When you file an auto insurance claim, an adjuster is assigned to your case. They will investigate what happened and ultimately decide what, if anything, you’re owed. In the event your claim is denied, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options. Let’s take a look at why claims get denied and what steps to take when appealing an insurance decision after a wreck.
Reasons Auto Insurance Claims Are Denied
If you’ve filed an auto insurance claim and it’s been denied, you’ll want to understand why you received a denial. There are a number of reasons why an adjuster may deny a claim, including the following:
- You’ve exhausted your coverage limits. If your insurer tells you that you are not covered for your claim or that you have a different type of coverage than you thought, you’ll want to verify your policy and determine what’s going on.
- There was a lapse in coverage. In the event you miss a filing deadline, your policy is no longer active, or you haven’t paid your premiums, you likely won’t be covered after an accident. It’s possible, however, the adjuster could have made a mistake.
- The insurance company claims you bear too much fault. If the adjuster assigned to your case fails to conduct a proper investigation, they could try to pin the blame for the crash on you. If this the case, you won’t be eligible for compensation. A proper investigation could show otherwise.
If your claim has been denied, it’s important to understand what your options are regarding disputing the matter and how you should go about seeking compensation.
Disputing an Insurance Decision After a Crash
If you’re planning on appealing an insurance decision after a collision, you’ll need to supply evidence in writing. While you will speak with an adjuster over the phone or in person, writing everything down will ensure you have all of your evidence clearly laid out. Your letter should include documentation like police reports, witness statements, and medical bills. You’ll also want to include photographs from the accident scene.
Once you’ve disputed your claim, you’ll need to wait for the company to review your case. In the event that they deny you again, you have the legal right to sue the insurance company.
Remember that you are protected by federal and state laws from unfair liability decisions. If an insurance company acts in bad faith, you’ll want a lawyer by your side to hold that company accountable.
The Benefits of Working With a Lawyer
Managing an insurance claim on your own has the potential to be challenging for a number of reasons. First, if you’re dealing with recovering from serious injuries, you may be in the hospital or unable to function normally. Depending on the situation you may be unable to take calls from insurance adjusters or you may not be in the headspace to handle those complex conversations.
In addition to that, it’s important to remember that insurance companies and their adjusters are focused on the companies’ bottom lines. This means that the adjuster may try to get you to accept less money than what you’re rightfully owed. If you don’t realize what you’re owed or don’t have the evidence to support you’re owed more, your financial future could be in jeopardy.
When you work with a car accident lawyer, they’ll be able to handle those issues for you. Not only will you not have to worry about having difficult conversations with adjusters, but you’ll also be able to rest assured that your attorney is doing everything possible to obtain full and fair compensation for your losses.
Contact DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC
In the aftermath of a car accident, it can be confusing to know where to turn. Even if you clearly see how the other driver caused your crash, the insurance company could give you a difficult time with your claim. As such, you’ll benefit from working with a car accident attorney from DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC.
Our law firm has extensive experience representing traffic accident victims. We have the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to build a strong claim that proves you were wronged and are owed compensation for your suffering. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options and how working with a lawyer can maximize your financial recovery.
