For insurance policyholders who have recently been in an accident, it is important that they understand their coverage and what is available to them. While many car insurance claims are handled properly, insurance companies sometimes deny, delay or undervalue legitimate claims. This puts a severe financial burden on policyholders with medical bills and other expenses incurred from an accident. People in this situation can fight the insurance company on their own, or they can consult a qualified Cincinnati car insurance attorney. The attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy have many years of combined experience dealing with insurance companies, and we know what it takes to be successful.
If you submitted a claim to your insurance company and were denied payment or offered an unreasonably low settlement, our attorneys are available to help you take legal action. Schedule a free consultation with our insurance claims attorneys today and we will review your legal options. Our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no legal fees unless our clients receive favorable compensation.
Types Of Car Insurance Coverage
You can submit a car insurance claim for various types of coverage, including:
Bodily harm and property damage liability – This is for injuries or property damage from a car crash that you caused. In Ohio, you are required to purchase liability coverage in the following amounts, at minimum:
- $25,000 per person for deaths or injuries
- $50,000 for injuries or deaths of two people or more in an accident
- $25,000 for property damage caused by an accident
Medical bills – This covers medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of who was at fault.
Personal injury protection – This is optional in Ohio because we are not a no-fault state. If you purchase this coverage, it may cover medical bills and various other damages from the accident, including:
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation
- Funeral costs
- Childcare
Collision – This covers damage to your car caused by another car. This is not required, but you may have to purchase it as part of a loan or lease agreement for your car.
Comprehensive – This would cover losses you sustain due to vandalism, theft or non-accident related damages to your vehicle. This may be required in the loan agreement for your car.
Uninsured motorist coverage – This applies to damages sustained in an accident with an uninsured driver or one who does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages.
Unfortunately, even if you submit a claim for a type of coverage you have, your insurance company might deny it or unfairly limit the payout.
Our Cincinnati insurance legal team can review your claim to determine if you can file a dispute against your insurer.
Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies do a lot of marketing and advertising in which they say they will focus on your needs after an accident.
These messages are so persistent that people often forget insurance companies are in business to make money. That is why insurance companies sometimes use a variety of tactics to try to limit your benefits following an accident by:
- Offering a settlement that does not cover all of your damages
- Pressuring you into settling your claim before meeting with an attorney
- Pressuring you to sign statements or waivers that hamper your ability to recover compensation later
- Attempting to shift blame for the accident to you to reduce your claim or deny it
The Cincinnati car insurance attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy are familiar with these and other tactics used by insurance companies and could dispute them. We know how to fight back to protect your rights and pursue all of the compensation you are owed.
If you have been involved in a car accident, contact us before signing anything or accepting a lowball settlement offer from your insurance company. Our lawyers are committed to obtaining fair compensation to help you move on with your life.
How To Dispute A Car Insurance Claim
If your insurance company or the insurance company of other involved parties denies your claim or offers a low settlement, you have the right to dispute the claim. If you have tried to contact the insurance company to resolve the issue but are still unsatisfied with the outcome, you can contact the Ohio Department of Insurance’s consumer services division to analyze your complaint.
The Ohio Department of Insurance annually saves policyholders millions by reviewing various complaints against insurance companies, involving complaints related to cancellations, sales practices, benefit disputes, refunds and misrepresentation. However, the department cannot do the following:
- Dispute claims when the only evidence is your word against the insurance company
- Make medical judgments that require the insurance company to pay for medical services that the insurance company determines are medically unnecessary
- Give legal advice or resolve disputes that are in the process of a lawsuit
Our Cincinnati car attorneys can also help you resolve disputes with your car insurance company. We can handle the investigation and help to you fight for the compensation you deserve for your damages.
Our Cincinnati Car Insurance Attorneys Are Here To Help
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You may feel compelled to contact your insurance company and you might be thinking about talking to a lawyer experienced with handling car insurance disputes in Cincinnati.
While you are not required to hire a lawyer, it could make a big difference in your ability to obtain fair compensation from your insurance company.
At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, your initial consultation is free and we do not charge legal fees unless you obtain fair compensation. So, call now and schedule your initial consultation.
