If you’re injured or have a claim after a car accident, you may think the insurance company will take care of everything. However, this is not always the case. In fact, many people don’t realize that they need legal help until it is too late.
If you are in a car accident, it’s important that you understand your rights as well as what to expect from the insurance company. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, or even wrongful death.
However, the process may be confusing and overwhelming. When you hire a car accident attorney, they will help you get the maximum amount of compensation for your claim. They can also deal with the insurance company and reduce any stress that you may have.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C., and are dealing with State Farm, contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today. We will help you get the compensation you deserve.
State Farm Accident Claims in Washington, D.C.
State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the country. Founded in 1922, it has 19,000 agents and 83 million car, fire, life, and health policies across the United States and Canada. Our Washington, D.C. auto accident attorneys have handled thousands of claims with State Farm throughout the District.
A primary complaint with State Farm is that it does not offer fair settlement amounts to resolve claims without filing lawsuits.
Reasons State Farm Denies Claims
There are various reasons State Farm would deny an insurance claim, especially during the initial process. When this happens, you can attempt to file an appeal of the decision. Some common reasons State Farm denies claims include the following:
- Claims filed outside the required period.
- A lack of evidence to support your claims, such as a police report or medical records.
- Disputes over liability or coverage, including hit-and-run incidents and property damage claims.
These are just a few reasons State Farm can legally deny claims. However, in some instances, insurance adjusters do deny claims unlawfully in “bad faith.” Here are some common circumstances that would constitute bad faith reasons for denying an insurance claim:
- Adjusters have no basis for denying your claim. They may be acting on false information or “guessing” what happened.
- Your claim was filed within the required time, but the insurance company failed to conduct a proper investigation into the claim.
- The insurer refuses to increase the settlement offer, and the amount is significantly lower than the claim is worth.
- The insurance company refuses to provide relevant documentation when requested.
- The insurer purposefully misrepresents the language of the car insurance policy or the relevant Washington, D.C. law.
Don’t Accept the First Settlement Offer
The best way to protect yourself from an insurance company that tries to take advantage of you is to avoid accepting their first settlement offer.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, so they often offer low settlements on car accident claims. Accepting this initial offer without consulting an attorney could force you to give up thousands of dollars in damages.
Contact a Washington, D.C., Car Accident Attorney at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.