Car accidents can have physically painful and financially devastating consequences, and you deserve compensation to get back on your feet. However, having your insurance claim denied can feel like a devastating second blow.
Insurance companies may have legitimate reasons for denying certain claims, but they also have strong financial incentives to minimize payouts.
If your car accident claim has been denied in Wisconsin, you have several options to move forward and fight back with the help of a Milwaukee car accident lawyer.
Why Do Insurance Claims Get Denied?
After you file an insurance claim following an accident, your insurer will investigate the circumstances, review your policy coverage, and determine whether to approve or deny your claim. This process can take weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of your case.
Unfortunately, insurance companies deny claims for various reasons, some more legitimate than others.
Common reasons for claim denials include:
- Policy coverage exclusions or limitations that don’t cover your accident
- Disputes over who was at fault in the accident
- Missed deadlines for filing your claim or providing required documentation
- Allegations of fraud or misrepresentation in your claim
- Lapses in your insurance coverage at the time of the accident
- Insufficient evidence to support your version of events
Your Rights When Facing a Claim Denial
When your claim gets denied, you are not without options. Wisconsin law provides several avenues to challenge the insurance company’s decision and fight for the damages you deserve. An attorney can help plan your next steps and determine which pathway is right for your case.
For example, you can file an appeal directly with the insurance company and request the company to review your case again with additional evidence. Many insurance policies include provisions for alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration, and you have the right to request one of these processes as well.
If these options don’t work, you have the right to file a lawsuit to seek the compensation you are owed.
Filing a Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit
Sometimes, a claim denial goes beyond legitimate reasons. Bad faith occurs when an insurance company unreasonably denies, delays, or underpays a legitimate claim without proper justification. Examples include failing to investigate your claim thoroughly, misrepresenting policy terms, or refusing to pay a clearly covered claim.
Not all claim denials constitute bad faith; insurance companies can legitimately deny claims that fall outside policy coverage or lack sufficient evidence. However, when insurers act unreasonably or in bad faith, you can file a lawsuit seeking not only your original claim amount but also additional damages for their wrongful conduct.
An attorney can help you determine whether your situation involves bad faith conduct and what damages you may be entitled to recover.
How a Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney Will Fight for You
A denied insurance claim doesn’t mean your case is over—it often means the real fight is just beginning. Wisconsin law provides multiple avenues to challenge these denials and hold insurance companies accountable for situations where their practices constitute bad faith.
A Wisconsin car accident lawyer can investigate the reasons behind your claim denial, gather additional evidence to support your case, and pursue all available legal remedies.
Whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation, your attorney at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. will fight to overturn the denial and secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Contact us to schedule a free legal consultation today to explore your options and take action against the insurance company’s unfair denial.