Handling a Denied Car Accident Insurance Claim in Florida
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may think that it will be an easy process to file an insurance claim, especially if you’re certain that the other driver or other party was at fault for the crash. But you may be surprised to later be notified that your car accident insurance claim has been denied. Although you may believe that a denial from the insurance company means that you won’t be receiving any compensation, the reality is that many car insurance claims are initially denied although claimants eventually go on to recover compensation from the insurance company.
When you have a car accident insurance claim to file, you should familiarize yourself with your rights and options in the event your claim is initially denied.
Why Insurers Deny Car Accident Claims?
Insurers make a profit by taking in more premium payments than they pay out in claims. As a result, it is in insurance companies’ interests to deny claims or pay out as little money as possible. Insurers may try to bank on the fact that an unsuspecting car accident victim will assume that there is nothing they can do once a car accident insurance claim is denied. Therefore, insurers will initially deny car accident claims for several reasons, including:
- The accident was preventable, or you were at fault for the accident
- You failed to timely report your claim
- You failed to promptly seek medical care
- Your claimed losses exceed the policy limits
- The driver responsible for the accident was not insured under the policy
- You were violating the law at the time of the accident, such as driving without a license or without your own auto insurance
Read more: The Biggest Mistakes People Make after a Car Accident
What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied
Just because a car accident claim is denied by the insurance company does not mean that you can never receive compensation. Most auto insurance policies have provisions that allow you to contest or appeal a denial of an insurance claim, especially if you have additional information or evidence that was not previously reviewed by the insurance company.
When your car accident insurance claim is denied, you should retain a car accident attorney if you have not already done so. An experienced lawyer can review the reasons for the denial cited by the insurance company and respond with evidence, information, or other arguments refuting the insurance company’s grounds for denying your claim. An attorney can continue investigating the accident to recover additional evidence that may cause the insurance company to reconsider your claim. A lawyer can also guide you through the administrative appeals process with the insurance company.
Most importantly, having an experienced lawyer to represent you means your attorney can file a lawsuit against the insurance company if there is evidence to establish that the insurer may have denied your car accident claim in bad faith, especially if the insurance company failed to give reasons for the denial or failed or refused to consider facts or evidence that support your claim for compensation.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured because of car accidents in Coconut Creek, Plantation, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines, and throughout Florida. Call (954) 525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.