After you're injured in a car accident, there's a lot of things going through your mind. You're wondering how you'll get back and forth to work. You worry about how you'll afford the medical bills. And you may wonder what you're going to do about getting your car fixed. Then you relax a bit when you're reminded that your insurance should help cover all of these things. Your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can assist you in filing your claim. 

If your claim is denied, your attorney will try to file an appeal on your behalf. Just keep in mind, there are certain times when even an experienced lawyer in Fort Lauderdale won't be able to help.. Sadly, one of these times is when your insurance policy has lapsed for non-payment. Florida's law requires you to carry a certain amount of auto insurance coverage. If you fail to do this, you could be in a world of trouble.

Car Accident Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale Can Appeal Some Denials

If your claim was denied because the insurance company felt you were at fault, your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help file an appeal. The same is true if they don't believe your injuries were legitimate. However, there are certain times when even your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can't help. This includes the following:

  • The policy had lapsed for non-payment
  • You intentionally canceled the policy
  • You have exceeded your coverage amount for the policy period
  • You didn't file your claim in time (statute of limitations)

In these situations, your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can certainly call and try to negotiate some sort of payment. However, the odds of the insurance company honoring a claim in these situations is slim to none. 

If the Policy Was Not Valid, You Will Not Get Paid

can you still file a first-party insurance claim if your policy lapsed for non-payment in florida

Insurance companies aren't in the business of paying claims. If they paid every claim that came across their desks, they'd go bankrupt in no time. Typically, they deny claims that are exceptionally large. They would rather wait and try to negotiate a reduced settlement later. They also tend to deny claims filed by people who have a history of filing auto claims. If they think you're a habitual offender, they may want to investigate it a bit further. Finally, if your policy isn't valid, there's no way they're going to pay your claim.

If You Were at Fault, You Have Very Few Options

The reason we carry auto insurance is to cover us if we get into a crash. If we cause an accident, the policy should cover both our damages and the damages of any other car accident victim. The problem is that if your policy cancels for any reason, you're not going to be able to collect. Once your policy cancels, you aren't covered. Your auto insurance policy typically offers a grace period, reminding you that you need to pay your premium or risk cancellation. Once this deadline passes, your policy will automatically cancel. Most people can pay their premium and get the policy reinstated. However, if you're involved in a crash while it's in the canceled status, there's not much you or your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can do.

Reach Out to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

If you're hurt in a car accident, you're going to have a couple of options. If the crash was your fault, you'll have to file a first-party claim against your own insurance policy. If, however, the other driver caused the crash, you can file a claim against their policy. Most car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale represent clients who were hurt by somebody else's negligence. However, they also help accident victims whose own insurance carriers refused to pay their claim. 

If you truly believe the other driver was at fault, then your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help you file a claim against their insurance company. If that doesn't work, you always have the option of filing suit. However, if you were at fault, your only hope is that your insurance policy will cover your damages. Depending on the reason for denial, your attorney may be able to help. Sadly, if your policy canceled for non-payment, there isn't much they can do. 

If you have questions about your coverage, call VG Law Group and talk to one of our skilled car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale. Schedule your free, initial consultation right away.

Free Case Review
crossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram