If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know what a nightmare it can be to deal with the insurance company. It seems like they always need more information or have additional questions. Instead of receiving your insurance check, you end up getting a bunch of paperwork in the mail. One such letter could be a denied insurance claim letter. Without warning, you could receive a notice stating that your claim has been denied. If this happens, you don’t want to waste any time calling a seasoned auto accident lawyer in Augusta.
It can be a crushing blow to learn that the insurance company isn’t going to pay your claim. Between the medical bills and the mechanic’s bills, you don’t know what to do. Very few people are in a position to pay these expenses out-of-pocket. And if you weren’t the one to cause the crash, you shouldn’t be left footing the bill.
Your injury attorney in Augusta agrees. This is why it’s a good idea to call and schedule your initial consultation with our office. This is free of charge. It also gives you a unique opportunity to have an experienced attorney review your denied insurance claim and find out what went wrong.
Here, we’ll discuss the various reasons why the insurance company may have denied your claim. We’ll also touch on the ways in which your auto accident lawyer in Augusta can help get your claim paid.
What Are Some of the Common Reasons Behind a Denied Insurance Claim?
Every car accident case is different. No two fact patterns are identical. This is why it’s in your best interest to talk to an auto accident lawyer in Augusta as soon as possible after your crash. It’s important that you file your insurance claim on time. It’s also critical that it’s filed properly. If you miss certain information or miss a deadline, you will get a denied insurance claim. Your attorney will work hard to make sure this doesn’t happen.
The approach your lawyer takes will depend on the reason for the denial. Here are some of the more common reasons why your auto insurance claim can be denied:
- The policy was invalid or had been canceled for non-payment.
- The insurance adjuster believes you caused the crash.
- You have a history of filing auto accident claims.
- There is no evidence that you were hurt in the crash.
- The claim is large, and the insurance company thinks they can settle for a lower amount.
- The other driver has proof that you were at fault.
- The company believes you had pre-existing conditions.
- You failed to submit the necessary paperwork or information.
If the policy was invalid, there’s nothing your injury attorney in Augusta can do. The same is true if you caused the crash. However, for most of the other reasons, your lawyer may be able to convince the insurance adjuster to pay. The fate of your denied insurance claim will depend on several factors.<
What Factors Impact Whether Your Appeal is Successful?
There are a host of factors that can impact whether the insurance company approves your claim on appeal. Your injury attorney in Augusta is well aware of this. They understand that the following factors will play a role in negotiating payment of your denied insurance claim:
- The size of your claim – Insurance companies are more willing to pay smaller claims. When it comes to big claims, they’re more willing to spend thousands of dollars challenging them.
- The date of your accident – if it’s only been a few days or weeks since your accident, it’s a lot easier to negotiate payment. However, if your accident was months ago, or even a year ago, it’ll be harder to convince the insurance company to take a second look.
- The number of claims you’ve filed in the past – Like it or not, there are people who file several car insurance claims every two years. The insurance industry tracks this. If you have a history of filing fruitless claims, there’s a good chance your claim will be dismissed.
Your lawyer is going to negotiate with the insurance adjuster and try to get things resolved. The more upfront you are, the easier it will be for them to get to the bottom of things and resolve your denied insurance claim.
What if the Insurance Company Still Refuses to Pay Your Claim?
Just because your attorney helps file your claim, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be paid. Sometimes, the insurance company is adamant about denying your claim. If you get a denied insurance claim, you’ll have no choice but to file suit. Your auto accident lawyer in Augusta will help you through the legal process.
Just as with the insurance claim, filing a civil claim for damages can be complicated. If you miss a deadline or fail to pay a required filing fee, your case will be dismissed.
Thankfully, your lawyer is well aware of how the process works. They’ll make sure your claim is filed properly. They’ll also work hard to gather evidence to prove the other driver was at fault. They’ll also try to negotiate a settlement with the defendant’s attorney.
It’s important to understand that, just because you file suit, doesn’t mean you won’t settle your case. Less than 5% of car accident lawsuits in Augusta go to trial. There’s a very good chance that yours won’t either.
Don’t Waste a Minute Before You Contact a Skilled Auto Accident Lawyer in Augusta
The last thing you want to hear after your car crash is that you got a denied insurance claim. When you’re knee-deep in medical bills and dealing with your physical injuries, you’re not in a position to get bad news.
Therefore, we recommend that our clients contact one of our injury attorneys in Augusta right away. We’ll help you file your claim and make sure it’s done properly. We’ll also make sure it’s filed on time, so the insurance company has no excuse for denying your claim.
Keep in mind – our associates will do whatever they can to get your claim paid and avoid getting a denied insurance claim. However, there are times when this isn’t possible. For example, if you caused the crash, you’ll be hard-pressed to convince an insurance adjuster to pay your claim. The same is true if the policy was invalid at the time of your motor vehicle accident. The best thing to do is to talk to a seasoned lawyer and find out what you can do to resolve your claim and move on with your life.
