Usually, if you get into a car accident, you submit your insurance claim and it’s paid right away. However, this usually only happens when your claim is small. If you’ve suffered serious injuries, your claim is going to be a for a substantial amount of money. Insurance companies are not as quick to pay these.
If your claim is denied, you can appeal it. The insurance adjuster can look at the case and make a determination. However, the odds of the insurance company changing their mind is slim to none. They usually have pretty good reasons for denying it in the first place. They won’t change their mind unless they have to.
Some of the reasons your claim may be denied include:
- The policy was cancelled or lapsed
- The driver was not insured under the policy
- You are believed to be at fault for the accident
- They don’t believe you were really hurt
- They don’t think the accident is what caused your injuries
If your claim is denied for either of the first two reasons, there’s nothing you can do. No insurance company will pay out a claim on an invalid policy. However, for any other reason, you can fight their decision. You need to contact an Athens car accident attorney to do this for you.
Your Athens Car Accident Attorney Will Negotiate with the Insurance Adjuster
If your appeal is denied, you need to call an Athens car accident attorney. Your attorney has relationships with many of the insurance adjusters. They have spent years handling cases just like yours. They may be able to reach out to the adjuster and negotiate a settlement of your claim.
Your Athens car accident attorney also has access to a history of the insurance company. Some companies have a history of not paying claims. Others have a history of settling claims just days before trial. Your attorney will want to know what kind of company he’s dealing with.
The first thing your Athens car accident lawyer will do is call the adjuster and see where they stand. They may be afraid to pay the claim because it’s so large. Or maybe they’re afraid that you have a history of filing false insurance claims. Either way, your lawyer will work hard to get you paid.
What Do You Do in the Meantime?
The problem you may have is finding a way to get medical treatment while you wait for insurance to pay. You’ll have to rely on your private health insurance to do this. If you have no insurance, you may have to turn to state programs like Medicaid or Medicare.
The issue with this is that you’ll eventually have to pay these companies back. When you do finally settle your claim, Medicare or Medicaid will expect to be repaid. This means that a portion of your settlement money will be used for reimbursement.
Your Athens car accident attorney is aware of this. He’s going to take this into account while he tries to settle your case. The defendant’s attorney knows this as well. The faster you settle, the easier it will be to deal with these insurance companies down the road.
What Motivation Will Your Athens Car Accident Lawyer Use?
Your Athens car accident lawyer will have to motivate the insurance company to settle. They may be willing to take their chances in court. Your attorney will work hard to convince them that isn’t the best option.
Nobody wants to go to trial. Trials are time consuming and expensive. You have to pay experts and filing fees. You have to sit through depositions. These things cost money. It’s in everyone’s best interest to settle the case rather than wait for trial.
The insurance adjuster knows this. He also knows that if it goes to trial, it could cost his company a lot more money. Both sides have an incentive to settle. It’s really a matter of coming up with a number that works for everyone.
Contact an Athens Car Accident Attorney Today
If your insurance claim has been denied, you need to call and speak with an Athens car accident attorney now. Your attorney can work with the insurance company and try to settle your claim.
Call and schedule your free initial consultation today. You can sit with an experienced auto accident attorney and ask any questions you may have. He can also review your case and let you know what it may be worth.
Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Call and arrange to have a professional by your side. The consultation is free and you pay nothing until you settle your case.