When insurance companies refuse to pay fair compensation after a car crash, accident victims are left to foot the costs of medical bills, car repairs, and other losses caused by the at-fault driver. However, a denied claim doesn’t have to be the last word: you have the option of having an experienced attorney fight for fair compensation on your behalf.
The experienced car insurance claim dispute lawyers at Demas Law Group stand up for car accident victims when insurers try to avoid their responsibilities. If you have a valid claim for car accident injuries, our personal injury law firm can help you fight for financial accountability. Please feel free to contact us today to learn more.
What Are Car Insurance Claim Disputes?
A car insurance claim dispute arises when an insurance company delays or refuses payment, or offers an amount far below a claim’s fair value. These disputes can involve your insurer (a first-party claim) or the at-fault driver’s insurer (a third-party claim).
Common examples of car insurance claim disputes include:
- The insurer blames you even when police reports or witness statements indicate that you were not at fault
- The company undervalues the cost of repairs or declares your vehicle a total loss when it isn’t
- Insurance adjusters dispute the severity of your injuries or blame them on preexisting conditions
- The insurer delays payment for months, hoping you’ll accept a low settlement out of frustration and financial distress
- The company denies the claim entirely, claiming the auto insurance coverage doesn’t apply
These disputes are unfortunately common, and they create unnecessary barriers between you and the financial compensation you deserve. Our insurance claim lawyers can fight to hold insurers responsible for what you’re owed.
Why Car Insurance Claims Get Denied or Disputed
Insurance carriers dispute or deny claims for one reason: to protect their profits. These companies use technicalities, vague policy language, delay tactics, and financial pressure to minimize payouts.
Typical reasons for disputes or denials include:
- Alleged Policy Violations: Insurers may claim you failed to report the accident within the time allowed or that you misrepresented information on your policy application.
- Insurance Coverage Disputes: The company may argue that certain injuries fall outside the scope of your policy or that the claim exceeds insurance policy limits.
- Liability Disagreements: Adjusters often attempt to shift the financial liability, especially when the crash involves multiple insurance companies and insurance policies.
- Insufficient Documentation: The insurer may say you didn’t provide enough proof of the damage the at-fault party caused.
- Bad Faith Tactics: Some insurers will delay communication or misrepresent facts to wear you down and pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement. A bad-faith claim may be in order.
The Impact of a Disputed Claim on Victims
A disputed or denied claim does more than delay payment. It can derail your recovery entirely. Car accident victims who are already struggling with daily pain, lost wages, and costly medical bills often face serious consequences when insurance companies fail to act responsibly. Some of those consequences include:
- Financial Strain: Car accident victims face significant medical bills and repair costs. Without timely payment, they may be forced to cover these expenses out of pocket.
- Emotional Distress: Painful injuries and limited mobility cause enough emotional strain, but dealing with continuous phone calls, unanswered emails, repeated requests for documentation, and lowball offers can create more frustration and anxiety.
- Interrupted Medical Care: Many victims can’t afford the medical care they need out of pocket, forcing them to postpone treatment until an accident claim is resolved.
- Credit Damage: When victims are left to cover unpaid medical bills on their own, it can leave them shouldering significant debt, causing even more financial and emotional strain.
What to Do If Your Car Insurance Claim Is Denied
If an insurer denies your claim, prompt action can make a difference. Here’s what you should do:
- Contact an Attorney Immediately: A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can identify whether the insurance company acted unreasonably and take steps to pursue just compensation. Contact an attorney with a proven track record as soon as possible.
- Request a Written Explanation: Insurers must explain their decisions in writing. Demand a detailed explanation for the denial. A skilled car insurance claim dispute lawyer can use this to appeal the denial of the claim.
- Gather All Documentation: Collect the police report, accident photos, repair estimates, medical records, and all correspondence with the insurance company.
- Review Your Policy: Many disputes arise from misinterpretations of policy provisions. A knowledgeable lawyer for car insurance disputes can review the auto insurance coverage in question and determine whether it aligns with the insurer’s written explanation.
- Don’t Sign Anything: Don’t sign release forms or accept any partial payments without legal advice.
Reasons to Work with a Car Insurance Disputes Lawyer
Insurance companies use teams of adjusters and lawyers to protect their profit margins. Working with a skilled lawyer for car insurance disputes can provide you with an advocate who knows insurance company tactics and will fight back with equal determination.
The insurance claim lawyers at Demas Law Group offer:
- Experience with California Insurance Law: Our personal injury attorneys know how California laws regulate the insurance industry. We understand the tactics insurance companies use to skirt those regulations and what constitutes insurance bad faith.
- Thorough Investigation: Once our insurance claim attorneys understand the nature of the insurance dispute or claim denial, we’ll determine the appropriate steps to serve clients’ best interests. As part of a thorough investigation, we will gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and other relevant financial records to hold insurers accountable.
- Aggressive Negotiation: Our car accident lawyers are not afraid to stand up to big insurance companies when they deny your claim unreasonably.
- Trial-Ready Attorneys: If the insurer still refuses to offer a fair settlement for losses caused by their policyholder, we will be fully prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for a favorable verdict on your behalf.
Contact a Lawyer for Car Insurance Disputes Today
Drivers in California pay auto insurance premiums to have coverage to protect those they harm in a collision. When insurance companies refuse to pay an accident victim for a legitimate claim, the insurer should be held accountable.
The attorneys at Demas Law Group in Sacramento, California, stand ready to fight for the legal rights of people injured in car accidents due to the carelessness or negligence of others. Our legal team has extensive experience handling disputed car accident claims. Let a car accident lawyer review your case and discuss your legal options to pursue the full value of your claim. Contact us today for your free consultation.
