After a car accident, many drivers try to get compensation by filing insurance claims. GEICO is a national insurance company that covers millions of drivers all over the country, including Maryland. If your claims for a car accident are denied, you may have other options for compensation.
After GEICO denies your accident claims, you may appeal that decision with the insurance company. it is important to discuss your case with an attorney who can help you challenge the denial. You can also file a lawsuit against the other driver in your accident and get compensation by proving them liable in court. Even if you do not want a lawsuit, it might be a good strategy for pressuring GEICO into reaching a settlement agreement with you. After your claims are denied, a lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to come back with a stronger case and get the compensation you deserve.
If you filed an insurance claim with GEICO for a car accident and they denied your claim, our Maryland car accident lawyers can help you plan your next steps. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free initial case evaluation.
Appealing a Denied Car Accident Insurance Claim from GEICO in Maryland
You might be able to appeal your denial. Appealing a denied car insurance claim from GEICO is not like appealing a court decision. There might not be a formal hearing where an impartial judge weighs the evidence and makes a decision. Instead, you have to convince GEICO, who denied your claim in the first place, that they were wrong.
An appeal may start by writing an appeal letter and sending it to GEICO. You want to make sure your appeal letter is strong and effectively states why your claim should be approved. Our Baltimore car accident attorneys can help you draft this letter. it is also important to check with an insurance agent about getting your appeal started. the person to whom your appeal should be directed may be in a different location, depending on where you live in Maryland.
GEICO should send you a letter explaining why your claim is denied. Read this letter with your attorney very carefully as it may provide insight on how to appeal your claim and what grounds to appeal on. If you believe the reason for the denial is incorrect or improper, we can begin working on an appeal letter.
What Can I Do If GEICO Denies My Claims for a Car Accident in Maryland?
You have other options outside the insurance system if GEICO denies your car accident claims in Maryland. Our Towson car accident attorneys can help you file a lawsuit against the other driver. If you are successful, the other driver’s insurance (i.e., GEICO) may have to pay for your damages.
A lawsuit requires evidence that the other driver is liable for the accident. Liability is usually based on negligence involving four crucial elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Duty is the driver’s legal obligation toward the plaintiff. On the road, drivers owe a duty of care to drive in a reasonably safe and prudent manner under the current driving conditions. A breach is a violation of a legal duty. For example, a breach might be running a red light before T-boning another driver in an intersection. Causation is the connection between the breach and the accident; we must show that the other driver’s breach is the direct cause of the crash. Finally, we have to show your damages are real and not hypothetical.
Negotiating a Settlement After GEICO Denied My Maryland Car Accident Claims
If you do not want to go through a lawsuit, you may still use the looming threat of a lawsuit to push GEICO towards a settlement. the insurance company may be more willing to work out a settlement after we initiate legal proceedings against the other driver. Lawsuits tend to be more expensive for insurance companies than simply settling. Our Bel Air car accident lawyers can help you through the negotiation process.
We must approach a settlement negotiation with strong evidence. Any trepidation may be perceived as weakness. We want the opponent to back down and agree to our terms. A good settlement should cover your damages and expenses. However, settlements are often the result of compromise, and you must be prepared to offer something in return.
If you believe your claim was initially denied incorrectly or on shaky grounds, we might be able to bring this up in settlement negotiations. We can help you argue that if there were real solid reasons why your claims might have been denied, they should have been mentioned in the denial letter from GEICO. If they were not mentioned before, they probably do not exist, and your claims might win at trial. This can help push for a stronger settlement.
Gathering Evidence to Support Your Claims After Being Denied by GEICO in Maryland
As always, you need evidence to support your claims. Whether you are appealing the denial, filing a lawsuit, or engaging in settlement negotiations, you must have proof to back up your claims. Our Ocean City car accident lawyers can help you gather the necessary evidence to help get you compensation from GEICO.
If a police report about your accident is available, we may be able to use it to your advantage. Police reports are typically considered inadmissible hearsay in a trial but may contain details we can use to find other admissible evidence.
We can also track down any witnesses who can testify about what they saw the day of your accident. This may include passengers, other drivers on the road, and pedestrians. We can also call expert witnesses who can reconstruct the crash scene or medical professionals who can explain your injuries to the court.
Any evidence directly from the crash site will also be very helpful. Photos, videos, and vehicle inspection results may be used to support your claims that the other driver caused the crash.
Call Our Maryland Car Accident Lawyers for Help Today
If your insurance claims with GEICO were denied, you might still have options available for getting compensation. Call our Prince George County car accident lawyers about your case today. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free initial case review.