When an insurance claim erupts, you may be worried about how smoothly everything will get ironed out; after all, there have probably been piles of bills stacking up during the interim, with more to come. This can be especially true if you were injured. A car or motorcycle crash is an example of a typical accident where a payout is required from another party’s insurer if the driver is found to be negligent—and significant sums can be required. Automobile insurance is supposed to be there to pay out regarding liability if you cause a car accident that hurts someone else or damages their car—and vice versa. In the case of a hit and run, you may be confused and very worried about how the claim will be paid.
After an accident, other motorists may have stopped to help you, and the police may have been called. This means you may have much-needed assistance and attention after the incident, but the other motorist has fled. In most cases, a hit-and-run driver is never found, which means their insurance company (assuming there might be one), is never found either. The responsibility falls on you—and your own car insurance policy. This type of scenario outlines clearly why it is so important to always call the police and file a report, because that is the only evidence you have of the hit-and-run, so that your own car insurance policy and your insurance agency should have no problem providing payment for your property damage.
Not only that, there could be extensive medical expenses. You may not be able to go back to work, and you may need restitution for lost wages too. Often, a hit-and-run driver may take off when they realize the severity of the accident, meaning that they could be leaving you behind in significant physical pain. They may also leave you in financial pain as you are responsible for paying your deductible and perhaps some parts of the claim that are not covered in your policy.
The situation can worsen if your insurer is not quick to respond and honor your own policy for paying the claim. While this is the last type of stress that you need, it is all too common, and immediate ‘bad faith’ red flags should erupt if there are strange delays or little communication. While an extensive investigation could be worrisome regarding bad faith, no investigation at all usually indicates a problem too, along with any suggestions of fraud.
If you need help reviewing your insurance policy, or if you suspect your insurance company may be denying your claim in bad faith, contact the attorneys at the Bolender Law Firm. If a dispute over a claim cannot be easily resolved through a call or written communication, our attorneys will advocate on behalf of policyholders through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!