You've been injured in a crash, and the other party's insurance company is attempting to pin the blame for the accident on you and denies your claim. This isn't something that you should accept, especially if the other party is at-fault in the accident.
In this FAQ, we'll explore the options available to your car accident claim after its denied by the insurance company, how to dispute fault if the other party tries to pin the blame on you, and the methods available to your case for recovering compensation after an accident. If you have further questions about disputing liability in an accident, or want to learn more about Burger Law, call 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222 to speak with our car accident lawyers in St. Louis. We don't charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for any attorney fees unless we win damages for your claim.
What Should I Do if My Claim is Denied by the Insurance Company?
If you are confident that the other party is at-fault in an accident, but your insurance claim was denied, and you didn't receive the compensation you were relying on to pay back expenses from the crash, you could be able to appeal your claim. There are many reasons that an insurance company might deny your claim, with the most common being:
- Lack of evidence - not enough proof of the other party's liability
- Failure to report accident - if the accident wasn't reported soon after it happened, the insurance company might question the validity of your claim
- No proof of injuries - if you didn't seek treatment for your injuries caused in the accident, the insurance company might question if they were actually caused in the accident
- Lapsed policy - if there is a lapse in your insurance coverage, the insurance company will likely deny your claim since you are technically uninsured
- Policy exclusions - if the accident happened during a snowstorm, the insurance company might try to use this and claim that it wasn't the driver's fault
If your car accident claim has been denied, but another person is to blame for your harm and losses, you'll need the help of a car accident lawyer in St. Louis. Appealing an insurance claim requires a compelling demand letter and extensive negotiating with the other party's insurance company, and even then, this doesn't guarantee a fair settlement.
If a satisfactory settlement can't be recovered during the appeal process for your claim, your attorney might suggest filing a lawsuit against the other driver, and fighting for your car accident claim in court. Taking a case to court should only be done with legal guidance from a car accident lawyer in St. Louis, but with an attorney representing your case, this can sometimes recover more damages than an out-of-court settlement.
Disputing Fault in an Accident
Police reports contain various information about an accident, such as photos of the scene of the accident, witness reports, both drivers' information, and who/what police believe caused the accident. If the other driver tries to pin blame for the accident on you, but they are the one responsible, following up with the police's information ensures that the information they have is correct. If it's not, your attorney can prove what happened with accounts from further witnesses to the accident, existing evidence, and proof of damages you endured in the crash. If the insurance company still insists that you are at-fault, your attorney can help you decide if you should continue to appeal your case, or file a lawsuit and take your car accident claim to court.
Burger Law provides the highest quality legal representation to car accident victims in Missouri and Illinois. If your insurance claim was denied, and the at-fault party is trying to pin the blame for the accident on you, our car accident lawyers in St. Louis can help. Call or contact our attorneys at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222 for a free case review. We don't charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for attorney fees unless we win compensation for your claim.