What To Do if the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company Refuses To Pay
When you are involved in a Florida car accident because of another driver’s negligence, the negligent driver’s insurance company is responsible for your injuries and damages. An at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for all your accident-related damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repair costs. Unfortunately, sometimes, insurance companies refuse to pay accident victims. Even if you have a strong claim with plenty of evidence, don’t be shocked if the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your claim.
Why Do Insurance Companies Refuse To Pay Accident Victims?
The following are some of the most common reasons why insurance companies refuse to compensate accident victims;
Investigations Findings
The at-fault driver’s insurance company might refuse to compensate you if it finds discrepancies or believes your claim is dishonest.
Liability Disputes
If there are disagreements about who is liable for the accident, the insurance company might refuse to pay you. The insurance company may claim that neither party is responsible for the accident. Or, they may try to shift the blame on you.
Coverage Limitations
If the type of coverage the defendant has does not include certain damages or situations, the insurance company may refuse to compensate you.
Compensation Disputes
The at-fault party’s insurance company may refuse to pay if they believe you are asking for more compensation than you are entitled to. For instance, if the insurance company believes you received medical treatment you did not need, they may refuse to pay you. The insurance company may also refuse to compensate you for vehicle repairs if they believe your mechanic took too long to repair your car or charged too much.
What Can You Do if the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company Refuses To Pay?
The following are some of the steps you can take if the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to pay you;
Hire an Attorney
As soon as it becomes clear that the at-fault driver’s insurance company is unwilling to pay you what is rightfully yours, contact a car accident attorney. Ideally, you should find an attorney with experience handling car accident cases like yours. You should find an attorney who has successfully dealt with a good number of similar cases. Such an attorney has a greater chance of helping you succeed in your case.
Write to the Insurance Company
Once you have hired an attorney, ask them to write to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Your attorney should inform the insurance company that their refusal to compensate you is unacceptable. In the letter, your attorney should inform the at-fault driver’s insurance company why the decision is wrong. Your attorney should let the insurance company know you’ll be fighting for the compensation you deserve. Writing to the insurance company might be enough to get them to pay you as soon as possible.
Consider Taking Your Case to Court
If the insurance company still refuses to pay, consider taking your case to court. In court, the judge will decide if the insurance company owes you compensation and how much they owe you.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries and damages. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Jacksonville, Melbourne, and Tampa areas.