What if My Bicycle Accident Claim Was Denied by National General Insurance?
Every day in Louisiana, people are injured in bicycle accidents. If you happen to be one of those bicycle accident injury victims, the best-case scenario is that the negligent party’s insurance company will step up and do the right thing. But unfortunately, that does not always happen. So, what do you do if an insurance company like National General denies your bicycle accident claim?
Having a claim denied after a bicycle accident certainly adds another layer of stress to an already complicated situation for accident victims. The only thing worse than medical bills stacking up while you miss work because of your injuries is wondering how you will make ends meet. Here are some helpful tips about what to do if National General denies your bicycle accident claim.
You Still Have Rights After a Bicycle Accident Claim Denial
It is always unpleasant to find out that a big insurer like National General has denied your accident claim. However, it is important to remember that National General’s word on your accident is not the same as a legal judgment. You have the right to hold a negligent party accountable for your damages after a bike accident.
The company might deny your claim if National General insures the negligent party. But their claim denial does not wipe out your right to seek damages after being injured in a bicycle accident. You can still pursue the negligent party (and National General) for your damages. The law gives you that right, and National General insurance cannot take it away.
Demand Damages Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
You have options to continue fighting for the compensation you deserve after National General denies your claim. You can still try to collect damages in civil court, but you have a limited amount of time to declare your intention to do so. Louisiana has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases per CC Art. 3492. This two-year period begins on the date of your accident. Therefore, under most circumstances, failure to demand damages before the two-year deadline will result in the forfeiture of your rights.
Why does a Company Like National General Deny a Bicycle Accident Claim?
National General operates just like any other business. They exist to make money, and paying claims to accident victims is the opposite. Although you expect them to look at your bicycle claim fairly and give as much consideration to your injuries as they do to their bottom line, that does not always happen.
The process of resolving claims with an eye on the bottom line leads companies like National General to deny many claims. They could offer any number of different reasons for rejecting your insurance claim, from contesting their policy holder’s liability to not accepting the validity of your injuries.
However, you can never allow yourself to forget National General (nor any other insurer) is not a neutral party. On the contrary, they have a strong financial motive to deny your claim, even if it is legitimate.
A Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help After National General Denies Your Claim
National General has more than just a strong incentive to deny your claim. They are a nationally known insurance company that knows how to erect a barrier between you and the compensation you deserve after an accident. But you do not have to face them alone.
A bicycle accident attorney from our firm can help you break that barrier down and help you get compensated for your injuries. In addition, our team can help establish liability in your case, even if National General has already denied your claim.
Do I Have to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer if My Claim was Denied?
You are free to handle your bicycle accident claim by yourself. With that said, you will have to live with the consequences of that decision. If you settle for less compensation than you deserve or unwittingly make an admission to National General that hurts your case, it will not be easy to un-ring that bell. Once you accept a settlement, you waive your rights to any future compensation.
With that in mind, you have to make a clear-eyed decision about whether having a bicycle accident lawyer is in your best interests. If National General has already denied your claim, how likely is it that they will go back on that decision just because you ask them to? If you have reached a point where they have denied your claim, a team of legal professionals might be what it takes to make them reconsider.
Let a Bicycle Accident Attorney Get Started on Your Appeal Today
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers has worked with numerous accident victims. If you do not think National General is treating you fairly after your bicycle accident, we would love to discuss your case and give you an idea of your options going forward.
We offer free consultations to accident victims, and we want to help. All you have to do to find out how we can help is call. Never forget that National General’s bicycle accident claim denial is not the end of the road. We are ready to fight for you. All it takes is a phone call or an email, and we will take care of the rest.
