When you are in a car accident, it can be overwhelming. Even when you are not seriously injured, you must deal with the property damage to your vehicle. You may miss time from work as you obtain a rental vehicle, arrange for repairs to your vehicle, and visit your doctor to determine whether you were injured in the accident. The emotional stress and physical pain after an accident add to the financial losses to create an extremely frustrating situation.
If another driver is responsible for causing the accident, you may be entitled to compensation from that driver for your damages and losses. In most cases, the driver’s insurance company compensates you for your injury claim. However, what happens when the insurance company refuses to pay a claim?
Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Car Accident Claims?
An insurance company is not in business to pay claims. It is in business to make money. Therefore, it is not in the company’s best interest to pay full compensation for each injury claim filed against the company. An insurance company takes steps to limit its liability. Some companies act in bad faith when evaluating and processing injury claims. Other companies simply try to pay as little as possible to settle claims.
Common valid reasons why an insurance company may deny an injury claim include:
- The insurance policy has lapsed.
- The insurance policy did not cover the driver.
- The circumstances related to the accident fall within an exclusion.
- The driver did not cause the automobile accident.
- The victim did not provide adequate evidence proving damages and losses.
Even if an insurance company provides a seemingly valid reason for denying an insurance claim, that does not mean you should give up. You have the right to appeal the insurance company’s decision regarding your injury claim.
What Should You Do If An Insurance Company Does Not Pay?
If an insurance company is refusing to pay your injury claim, offers a very low settlement amount, or is unreasonably delaying your claim, contact our Sacramento car accident attorneys immediately for a free case review. Your time to file a personal injury lawsuit is limited. The insurance company may use delay tactics to exceed the time you have to file a lawsuit. Once the statute of limitations expires, you cannot pursue a legal claim against the insurance company or the driver.
Therefore, it is best to talk to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An attorney investigates the claim to determine if the reason for denying the injury claim is valid. Also, the attorney investigates the accident to determine if another party may have some liability for your damages.
Dealing with an insurance company can be difficult, especially if you are unsure of your legal rights or the law governing your accident claim. An attorney understands the laws that protect car accident victims in California and how to use those laws to benefit the victim.
Contact Our Sacramento Car Accident Attorney for Help
Do not allow an insurance adjuster to convince you that you do not have a valid accident claim or that your claim is worth much less than you believe to be the value of your claim. Talk to our lawyers to learn the truth about car accident claims in California.
For a free consultation with a Sacramento car accident lawyer, contact The Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website. We are here to help you fight for fair compensation for your injuries, financial losses, and damages.
Brain injuries caused by a personal injury accident can result in a lifetime of complications and serious conditions. A variety of accidents and situations can result in a brain injury. Brain injuries can be caused by:
- Car accidents
- Dog attacks
- Defective products
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Elder abuse
- Bicycle accidents
- Slips and falls
Almost any accident can result in a brain injury. If another person’s negligence or wrongdoing caused your brain injury, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact our Sacramento brain injury lawyers for a free consultation.
Five Types of Brain Injuries Caused by Accidents
1. Concussion
A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even though it is considered “mild,” a concussion can cause long-term complications and conditions. Most concussions are caused by a severe blow to the head or by the head hitting another object. However, whiplash and other motions that cause the head to whip or twist violently can result in a concussion.
2. Closed Head Injury
A closed head injury occurs when the brain is injured because of a blow to the head. A closed head injury can also occur if the head is violently shaken or whipped about, causing the brain to strike the skull in one or more places. Concussions are the most common type of closed head injury. However, more severe injuries are also possible, including brain bleeding and brain swelling.
3. Penetrating Brain Injury
A penetrating brain injury occurs when an object fractures the skull and enters the brain tissue. Open head injuries have a higher risk of fatal and life-threatening conditions, such as infections, uncontrollable bleeding, limited oxygen supply, and severe damage to brain tissue.
4. Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury
This type of injury is caused when the brain shakes because of sudden movement, much like a concussion, but more severe. Large tears in the brain can be deadly. However, even small tears can result in severe conditions. A diffuse axonal brain injury can impact several areas of the brain.
5. Hypoxic Brain Injury
Hypoxic brain injuries are caused by limited oxygen supply to the brain. The brain receives some oxygen, but not enough oxygen for normal functions. The lack of oxygen causes brain damage. Hypoxic brain injury results from a lack of oxygen in the lungs, which can be the result of one or more accidental injuries.
Symptoms of Brain Injuries
Everyone should be familiar with the symptoms of brain injuries. The Mayo Clinic, CDC, and National Institutes of Health have lists of the symptoms of brain injuries. If you experience any of these symptoms or unexplained symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Brain Injuries and Accident Claims
The severity of the brain injury directly impacts the value of a personal injury claim. A person suffering from a brain injury can incur substantial financial losses, including medical expenses, personal care, and loss of income. Some individuals may sustain permanent impairments and disabilities, which may result in future loss of income and ongoing and medical and personal care.
Additionally, a brain injury victim sustains physical and emotional pain and suffering. Their quality of life and enjoyment of life may be substantially diminished.
Our Sacramento brain injury attorneys work closely with you, your medical team, medical experts, and financial experts to accurately calculate the maximum value of your damages for a brain injury claim.
Contact Our Sacramento Brain Injury Attorneys for a Free Case Review
Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our Sacramento brain injury lawyers.
Neck pain is a common symptom experienced by many people after a car accident. However, what does neck pain indicate? Is neck pain a symptom of a serious car accident injury? Will it go away by itself in a few days or weeks?
During 2017, over 3,200 teen drivers were involved in fatal car accidents. Teen drivers are less experienced and may not be ready to handle the responsibility of driving a vehicle in all situations. They are less mature and may not have a fully developed ability to judge risks and consequences. For that reason, parents need to discuss dangerous driving behaviors with their teen drivers. Discussing the risks associated with poor driving decisions can help teen drivers avoid dangerous driving behaviors.
A recent report indicated that pedestrian deaths would hit a 28-year high in 2018. California is one of the states that have the highest number of pedestrian fatalities year after year. Many of the pedestrian deaths caused by motor vehicles are attributed to driver error. However, pedestrians must exercise caution too. Pedestrians do not always have the right of way. Even when a pedestrian does have the right of way, he or she can reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident by taking certain precautions.