accident insurance disputes - why you may need an attorney

by Marlon Weber III 5 min read

Generally, the only valid argument for denial is that you were at fault for the accident or had another serious and recent accident in the same vehicle. Furthermore, you may need legal help if the insurance company is being unresponsive to your calls or emails.

Insurance companies have attorneys of their own, with the goal of reducing settlement amounts or denying claims. The higher the amount of the claim, the harder the insurance companies and their attorneys fight. For claims involving long-term or permanently disabling injuries, you really need an attorney.

Full Answer

Why choose Insurance Attorneys?

You may be contacted by the insurance company shortly after the accident. They’ll offer you a settlement. Your medical expenses may be adding up and you’re getting worried about money. Their offer may seem tempting. But it will be a lowball offer that falls far short of covering all of the damages you suffered. Our attorneys are familiar with insurance company tactics to pay …

Why would an insurance company dispute a claim?

Bad faith insurance. In some cases, an insurer clearly owes benefits and simply refuses to make good on policies. A lawsuit on behalf of the claimant may prove that an insurer committed fraud. If your bad faith insurance lawsuit is successful, you may be entitled to damages from the insurer in addition to payout of the wrongly denied benefits.

Does the insurance company do what is right or not?

Jul 15, 2019 · If your insurance company has continuously denied or delayed your payout, a lawyer may be able to answer any questions or concerns you have about the claims process. What is an insurance dispute? An insurance dispute arises when an insurance company and a policyholder do not agree on the terms of a settlement. The insurance company may deny the …

Can I be sued for a car accident without insurance?

As we have mentioned, insurance disputes are common practice, and that is exactly why you should hire the experienced insurance lawyers at Pacin Levine P.A. Do not be strong-armed by an insurance company into resolving a claim before picking up the phone and calling us at (800) 24-7-CRASH; (800) 247-2727. The attorneys at Pacin Levine P.A. are more than happy to fight for …

image

How to dispute a car accident?

Ways to dispute fault in a car accident. If you get into a car accident in any of the fault-based states, and an insurance company denied your claim because they wrongfully think you are at fault, do the following: File a personal injury claim. In case you are involved in an accident and believe you are not at fault, ...

What to do if insurance company refuses to review your case?

If the company refuses to review your case despite all the mentioned efforts, it is time to move to the state body overseeing insurance affairs. Most states have put in place essential state and federal laws that come in handy when solving unfair liability issues.

What to do if you are not at fault in an accident?

In case you are involved in an accident and believe you are not at fault, it is essential to immediately file a personal injury claim with the other driver’s insurance company. In such a scenario, both you and the other driver will be sending letters to dispute who was at fault.

What happens if your insurance company believes you are at fault?

If the insurance firm believes the accident is your fault, they can make your life a living hell, especially when dealing with bodily injuries and other severe damages. You will have to battle hefty charges, forfeit claims, and the cost of your premiums can rise substantially going forward. Ways to dispute fault in a car accident.

Why do you need a police report?

Having a police report can make it easier for you to dispute a car accident fault. Typically, insurance companies tend to take car accident lawyers seriously than they do civilians. If you are involved in a car accident, you should consider getting legal advice.

How does a police report help you?

The police report will help you to prove you are not at fault. Police reports have a significant influence on courts. ● Take many clear photos of the scene of the accident. Make sure to capture details such as skid marks, accident debris, and the cars’ exact positions.

What to do when you voice your disagreements?

In most cases, when you voice your disagreements, it results in a further investigation that may revise the earlier findings. Contract an accident attorney. You should hire a competent car accident lawyer to file a case that disputes your involvement in the car accident in a court of law.

Which insurance?

After a multiple-vehicle accident, it can be quite difficult for ordinary people caught in the middle to determine which insurance should cover injuries and losses. Insurance companies themselves often go through maneuvers designed to shift responsibility or at least postpone the pay out of benefits.

Insurance will pay, but too little, too late

It is well known, and documented, that many insurance companies engage in tactics designed to “defend, deny, delay” pay out of benefits. Through this type of strategy applied over thousands of claims, insurance companies hold onto many thousands of dollars longer than necessary, earning interest on money that rightfully belongs to claimants.

Insurance subrogation

More and more often, insurance policies contain fine-print provisions that allow them to recoup costs from other insurance companies’ benefits directed toward claimants and beneficiaries.

Bad faith insurance

In some cases, an insurer clearly owes benefits and simply refuses to make good on policies. A lawsuit on behalf of the claimant may prove that an insurer committed fraud. If your bad faith insurance lawsuit is successful, you may be entitled to damages from the insurer in addition to payout of the wrongly denied benefits.

What is an insurance dispute in Florida?

What Is an Insurance Dispute? No matter what type of insurance claim you have to file in Florida, you could end up in a dispute with the insurance provider. An insurance dispute can be a difficult and frustrating experience. With help from a Tampa insurance dispute lawyer, however, you can balance the scales between you and the insurance company.

What happens if your insurance company denies your claim?

Discovering that an insurance company has denied your claim or has chosen to delay payout can make the process more difficult than it has to be. If your insurance company has continuously denied or delayed your payout, a lawyer may be able to answer any questions or concerns you have about the claims process.

What is bad faith insurance?

Insurance bad faith refers to an insurance company’s failure to fulfill its duty to process a claim in good faith. Every insurer must lawfully handle claims in good faith – meaning with fairness and honesty. Failure to do so, often in an attempt to save money, is insurance bad faith.

How much interest does an insurance company owe in Florida?

Insurance companies in Florida will owe 12% interest for each year of unpaid reimbursements.

Can an insurance lawyer help with a dispute in Tampa?

With help from a Tampa insurance dispute lawyer, however, you can balance the scales between you and the insurance company. A lawyer could improve the odds of a successful outcome. Learn more about insurance disputes to make the next step forward with your claim.

Can a policyholder dispute an insurance policy?

A policyholder can enter into a dispute with any insurance company regarding any type of insurance. Disputes may arise about auto insurance, property insurance, boat insurance, life insurance or other types of insurance policies.

Insurance Disputes

It would be nice if we lived in a world where insurance companies always acted in good faith on every claim! The reality, however unfortunate, is that big-name insurance companies have a fiduciary responsibility to shareholders, and that means bottom-line increases are expected every quarter.

Our approach provides the highest caliber legal services to a broad spectrum of injury cases. How Can We Help You?

Do not hesitate. Take action, and call us today at (800) 24-7-CRASH; (800) 247-2727 for a free, confidential case evaluation. Or alternatively, contact us using our easy online form.

Why do insurance companies manipulate language?

Unfortunately, insurance companies often interpret and manipulate the language in their policies to minimize or deny valid claims. Insurance providers have a significant self-interest to protect their cash reserves and to avoid payouts to policyholders.

What is independent adjuster?

The insurance company’s “independent experts” or “independent adjusters” have determined that no covered loss occurred or is excluded from the policy.

How do insurance companies make profit?

Insurance companies generate a greater profit when policyholders do not file claims or fail to collect on claims submitted under their policies. Some insurance companies habitually deny claims—regardless of their legitimacy—and will only investigate a claim if the policyholder takes legal action.

How to get a copy of my insurance policy?

First, your assigned legal team will ask to see a complete copy of your insurance policy. If you don’t already have this, you can request it from your broker or insurance company. Next, your team will contact your insurance company to determine the status of your claim.

Does insurance honor claims?

However, many times the insurance company does not do what is right and honor the claim. Disputes often arise after an insurance company denies a valid claim, many times without a legitimate reason or explanation.

What happens if you are being accused of causing an accident?

These include: Intentional damage: If you are being accused of intentionally causing an accident, that could void your coverage. Most providers only cover negligent acts. If it is eventually determined that you did not intentionally cause the damage, you may receive retroactive support from your provider.

What to do if you are being sued for an auto accident?

If you find out you are being sued after an auto accident, the best thing to do is contact a lawyer immediately. Lawyers will fight the case and pressure your insurance company to pay the claim.

How to settle a car accident claim?

A good lawyer will help you with the following: 1 Pressure your insurance provider to pay. Your insurance provider has a legal obligation. If they have gone rogue or are simply delaying payment for the accident, an attorney can help pressure them to settle the claim. 2 Fight the case. Simply because the other driver alleges that you were the at-fault driver, does not mean you have to settle. An attorney can help you fight your case and prove that you were not actually at fault. Or, if the fault was split between the parties, you can still be eligible for reduced liability.

What happens if you don't report an accident to your insurance?

No notice of the accident: If you, as the policyholder, failed to report the accident to your insurance provider within the time period allotted in your policy, that may void any responsibility they have to you .

What happens if your insurance does not cover the entire claim?

So, if your insurance cannot cover the entirety of the claim, the other driver may sue to recover the excess damages. These are especially common when coverage is well below the amount of the claim. Bodily injury claims can easily surpass $75,000 or $100,000 in some instances.

What to do if insurance company goes rogue?

If they have gone rogue or are simply delaying payment for the accident, an attorney can help pressure them to settle the claim. Fight the case. Simply because the other driver alleges that you were the at-fault driver, does not mean you have to settle.

How long does it take to file a claim after an accident?

This is the amount of time following an accident a driver has to sue before he or she no longer has a claim. In most states, this varies between 1 and 5 years depending on the type of damage: property or bodily. If the claims process is taking excessively long and approaching ...

image