Posted on Friday, March 31st, 2017 at 2:03 am
You may have heard stories about insurance companies denying car accident claims to save money. While insurance companies do try to pay as little as possible to settle a car accident claim, some insurance companies have valid reasons for denying a claim. Below are several reasons why the insurance company may be denying your claim.
Failure to Prove Fault
To recover compensation for a car accident, you must prove the other driver caused the crash. If there is any doubt at all about fault, the insurance company denies the claim. Likewise, if the insurance company believes it can place some of the blame for the accident on you (i.e. you were speeding when the other driver pulled out in front of you), the company denies the claim. Hiring an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney is your best defense when an insurance company denies a claim for this reason.
Using a Personal Vehicle for Business
If an insurance company can prove that the driver was using the vehicle for business, it can deny a claim filed against a personal insurance policy. Most insurance companies require drivers to obtain a special clause to protect them when they are using their vehicle for business. This problem comes up in Uber and Lyft accidents.
Coverage Expired
Sometimes an insurance company denies a claim because the person’s coverage had expired prior to the accident. Because many drivers choose to disobey the law and operate without insurance, purchasing uninsured motorist coverage is very important to protect you and your family in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver.
Statute of Limitations Has Expired
Under California law, you have a limited time to file a car accident claim. Failing to file your claim prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations results in an automatic denial of your claim. Therefore, contact a Sacramento car accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to receive compensation for your injuries. However, do not assume the insurance adjuster is correct if he tells you that your time to file a claim has expired. The insurance adjuster is not an attorney, and there are a few exceptions to the time limits. It is always best to consult an attorney to ensure you are receiving trusted legal counsel.
How Can We Help?
Our Sacramento car accident attorneys investigate the insurance company’s denial of your claim to determine if the denial is legal. We have the experience, resources, and skills to handle any car accident claim. Our lawyers fight for your right to receive the maximum amount of compensation allowable by law. The insurance company has a team of legal professionals protecting it, don’t you deserve to have your own legal team fighting for you?
Call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or visit our website to schedule a free legal consultation. Our law firm serves clients throughout the greater Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, and El Dorado Hills areas.
