If you own and drive a car, then you pay for car insurance. You really don’t have a choice. It’s against the law to drive without insurance. The reason you carry coverage is in case you get in an accident. This is why it’s important that you get the other driver’s insurance information if you get in a crash. If they’re at fault, you’re going to need to file a claim against their policy.
In a perfect world, your claim will be approved and you’ll get your check within a week or two. This will help pay to get your car fixed. It’ll also help cover any medical bills you’ve experienced. The problem is, if you file your claim immediately, there’s no way to know what kind of lost wages you’ve suffered. However, you can always file a separate claim later if need be.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. There’s always a chance that your claim could be denied. This can be frustrating. If you know the other driver was responsible for your crash, the last thing you want to hear is that your claim won’t be paid. If you get this kind of news, you really need to call an experienced Buffalo car accident lawyer. They’ll try to negotiate a settlement of your claim so there’s no need for legal action.
If the Policy Isn’t Valid, the Insurance Company Won’t Pay Your Claim
If the other driver’s policy isn’t valid, there’s no way the insurance company is going to pay your claim. They can’t afford to do this. The claim could be invalid for any number of reasons, including:
- the policy was canceled for non-payment
- They let the policy lapse
- They never had a valid policy with the insurance company
- The vehicle was not listed on the policy
If you’re notified that the policy isn’t valid, don’t expect any payment. If this is the case, you may need to make a decision. You can file a claim under your uninsured motorists’ policy. However, this won’t cover all of your damages. They rarely do. Your Buffalo car accident lawyer may need to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
The Defendant’s Insurance Company May Think You Caused the Accident
Just because you insist the other driver was at fault doesn’t mean they were. Very rarely does anyone want to admit that they were at fault. It’s much easier to point the finger at someone else rather than back at yourself. However, as adamant as you are that the defendant was responsible, they’re thinking the same thing about you.
After doing their investigation, the insurance adjuster will make a decision about who was at fault. They’ll talk to both drivers and look at the police report. If they think their client was an innocent party, they won’t pay your claim. This is when it comes in handy having an experienced car accident lawyer from Buffalo by your side. They can submit evidence to show that their driver was at fault.
They May Not Believe You’re Really Injured
One of the hardest parts of a car accident case is proving your damages. If the insurance company doesn’t believe you were hurt, they’re not going to pay your claim. The same is true if they think you had a pre-existing condition. Your Buffalo accident lawyer needs to prove that you were injured in the crash. If they can’t do that, you won’t get paid. This is why it’s so important that you go to the hospital immediately after your car accident. Your attorney can submit copies of your medical records to prove your damages.
Contact a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer in Buffalo, New York
If you get into a car wreck in Buffalo, you’re going to need a car accident lawyer. If the insurance company finds out that you don’t have an attorney, they may try to take advantage of you. They may offer you a lowball settlement. Or, they’ll deny your claim and hope you don’t file an appeal. If you have an experienced car accident lawyer in Buffalo, the insurance adjuster will take you more seriously.
You should call our office and schedule your initial consultation right away. They’ll sit down with you and answer any questions you might have. They’ll find out why your claim was denied and try to file an appeal on your behalf.
The consultation is free and you don’t pay anything until you settle your case.
