Most Virginia drivers will be involved in an automobile accident at some point in their lives. In fact, the average driver is typically involved in at least 2 to 4 accidents throughout their lifetime.
After an accident, injured crash victims may find themselves struggling with serious injuries and skyrocketing medical expenses. To make matters worse, some accident victims may find out the hard way that the insurance company is NOT on their side. In fact, they may even find their insurance claim denied.
Considering how much the average driver in Virginia pays for monthly insurance premiums, many are shocked to find out how easily their claims are denied, even when the accident isn’t their fault.
Sometimes Auto Claims are Legitimately Denied
There are a few (legitimate) reasons your Virginia auto accident claim could have been denied by your own insurer, such as:
- You were not 100 percent honest with your insurance company when you purchased your auto insurance policy (i.e., you “fudged” a little when giving information in order to lower your premiums).
- You failed to report your accident at the time it happened
- You waited to obtain medical treatment
- You were less than truthful about your injuries
The takeaway here is—never lie to the insurance company. If you are not telling the entire truth, you can place your entire claim in jeopardy.
But what if you did absolutely everything right, and your claim is still being denied? The claims adjuster may believe your claim lacks merit, or the insurer is hoping you will not pursue the claim further. If there was no police report, the insurer might choose to believe its client’s version of what happened.
What Happens When Your Claim is Denied?
Whatever the reasons for the denial of your claim, if you believe you have a valid claim, you will need to hire an experienced Virginia car accident attorney to fight the denial.
Your attorney may first choose to draft a demand letter—a formal claim for compensation, detailing your versions of the accident, as well as the injuries and damages you sustained in the accident. At this point, the insurance company will either have to provide a specific reason why your claim was denied or reverse its decision.
Many insurance companies have a formal appeals process which will give your attorney a better chance to negotiate a settlement. If the insurance company continues to deny your claim, your attorney may advise you to file a lawsuit against the insurance company to secure payment for your injuries and damages.
Auto accidents are never pleasant, and when your claim is denied, the process gets even more unpleasant. As such, it can be extremely beneficial to speak to a Virginia car accident attorney following your auto accident to ensure you receive equitable compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Fairfax Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has been a victim of a car crash in Fairfax VA or anywhere in Northern Virginia, Washington DC and in Maryland, you may have difficulty collecting the money you need to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. At Hilton & Somer, LLC, our Fairfax car accident lawyers know that insurance companies don’t always play fair.
That’s why injured accident victims need an experienced and aggressive legal representative on their side from the moment they’re injured. Contact us at (703) 560-0700 for a free initial consultation and review of your potential case. We are here when you need us the most – and we will fight for you every step of the way.
Additional Resources
