If you get into a car accident in Houston – any kind of accident – you’re going to need to file an auto insurance claim. If the crash wasn’t your fault, you’ll be filing the claim against the other driver’s policy. Most of the time, if the accident is clear-cut, your claim will be approved. However, insurance companies aren’t in the business of paying claims. If they paid every claim that crossed their desk, they’d go bankrupt in no time. This is why they have to deny claims that they don’t necessarily think they should pay. This happens all the time, and when it does you need to contact a local car wreck attorney in Houston for help.
If your auto insurance claim is denied, you’ll have to file an appeal. Not only can this process be complicated, but it can also be time consuming. And, there’s no guarantee your appeal will be successful. For all you know, it’ll be denied for the same reason the second time around. It depends on a few things:
- How large is your claim? Smaller claims are usually paid while bigger ones are more closely scrutinized.
- What your claim history is. If you have a history of filing automobile insurance claims, the adjuster may think your claim is fraudulent or invalid.
- Who was at fault? You may think the other driver was at fault. However, if the evidence isn’t clear, the other driver’s insurance company is going to think you were at fault. They won’t want to pay a claim without a lengthy investigation.
If your claim is approved, great. You’ll get your check within a few weeks. But if it’s denied, you could be in for an uphill battle. This is why it’s a good idea to at least meet with an experienced car accident lawyer in Houston.. They have a long history of dealing with the insurance companies. They’ll make sure your claim is handled properly and that you get the compensation you deserve.
The Insurance Adjuster May Try to Take Advantage of You
If the insurance adjuster sees that you’re handling the claim yourself, they may not take you as seriously as if you had a lawyer. Or, they’ll try to take advantage of you. There are a variety of ways in which they can do this, including:
- They deny your claim and figure you won’t file an appeal
- They’ll say they don’t believe you were injured and deny your claim
- They won’t return phone calls or emails
- They won’t answer questions you have about why your claim was denied
- They’ll offer you a low settlement and push you into accepting it
If you feel that any of these things are happening to you, call an experienced Houston car accident lawyer right away.. They’ll take over and negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. They will be taken seriously.
What if Your Auto Insurance Claim is Still Denied?
Just because you hire a lawyer, that doesn’t mean your claim is guaranteed to be approved. There’s still a chance it will be denied. If this happens, you may have no choice but to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. Your Houston car accident attorney can do this for you.. They’ll be by your side every step of the way.
Once you file suit, the insurance adjuster may realize you mean business. They may be more willing to discuss a settlement once they see you’ve filed legal action. Either way, your lawyer will do their best to negotiate a fair settlement of your claim.
Contact a Skilled Accident Attorney in Houston Immediately After Your Accident
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you should call a local car wreck law firm in Houston right away. You don’t want to wait until your claim has been denied to talk to an attorney in Houston. Sometimes, having a lawyer can make the difference between your initial claim being approved or denied. It will change the way the insurance adjuster handles your claim as well. Your claim may end up as a priority instead of being buried at the bottom of the pile.
You can call and schedule your free initial consultation the day or your accident. Or, if you’re seriously injured, an attorney can come to you. Let them review your case and see if you have a valid claim. They can answer any questions you may have about your claim and give you an idea of what it may be worth. The initial consultation is free and you won’t have to pay your attorney until your case is settled.