How to Handle a Denied Car Accident Claim
You’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, and the situation is difficult enough. If the at-fault driver’s insurance provider, however, proceeds to deny your claim, the matter is that much more dire. While it is unfortunate that the insurance company is putting you through this additional anxiety on top of everything else, it is important to understand that the law – and not the insurance company itself – will ultimately decide how your car accident claim will be resolved (if the insurance company refuses to engage in fair negotiations). If you find yourself in the difficult position of having your car accident claim denied, an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney has the experience and skill to help.
A Note about the Car Insurance Company
You recognize that the car insurance company is paid to cover your physical, financial, and emotional damages, but what you may not realize is that the insurance company that is handling your case is in the business of making money. This means that it keeps settlements as low as possible whenever possible, and one of the tools in its belt is denying car accident claims from the start. If this is where you stand, you need professional legal counsel in your corner.
Building Your Strongest Claim
In defense of your legal rights and in pursuit of your rightful compensation, your car accident attorney will skillfully endeavor to accomplish two primary goals.
Identifying Fault
Car accident claims often hinge on identifying the at-fault driver’s negligence, which can include any of the following:
- Ignoring the safety rules of the road
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driving aggressively
- Speeding excessively
Identifying fault tends to come down to collecting evidence that bolsters the claim, including eyewitness statements, the police report, and accident recreation efforts.
Demonstrating Your Losses
In addition to establishing the other driver’s fault in the car accident that leaves you injured, your attorney will go about proving the extent of the physical, financial, and emotional losses (or legal damages) you experienced as a result, including:
- Property damage to your car
- Your medical expenses, including any ongoing healthcare concerns
- Your lost earnings, including any decline in your ability to earn
- Your related physical and psychic pain and suffering
If the Insurance Company Refuses to Negotiate in Good Faith
If the insurance company handling your claim refuses to engage in fair negotiations – such as by denying it from the outset – your car accident attorney will very likely advise you to move forward with a lawsuit. The very act of filing a lawsuit against the insurance company may even motivate it to reconsider your claim more carefully.
Reach Out to an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney for the Legal Guidance You Need
Having your car accident claim denied by the insurance company handling it is disheartening, but you shouldn’t fall for this less-than-honest tactic. The focused St. Louis car accident attorneys at Bruntrager & Billings have the skill, experience, and drive to help guide your claim toward its best possible resolution. Don’t wait to seek the legal guidance you need by contacting or calling us at (314) 646-0066 today.