Disputing a Car Accident Claim With State Farm

Unfortunately, Chicago car accidents are a common occurrence. If you were involved in a car accident, chances are you suffered severe injuries, missed work, and may not know when or if you can go back to work. Often, the drivers responsible for causing an accident do not have the assets needed to compensate you for your injuries fully. Lawmakers understand this and require all drives to purchase car insurance. Car insurance is the primary way that accident victims recover compensation for their damages in an accident. However, while filing an insurance claim after an accident may seem like a straightforward task, large insurance companies like State Farm will often deny a claim. This only adds to the frustration that you and your family experience in the wake of a Chicago car accident.

At the Chicago personal injury law firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help accident victims recover the compensation they deserve after a serious accident. We have represented car accident claims since 1987, and our dedicated lawyers command an impressive knowledge of the insurance industry. We work closely with accident victims, their families, employers, medical providers and a respected team of experts to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions. When you enlist our help to handle your Chicago car accident claim, we will take care of everything so you can focus on your recovery.

State Farm Is the Leading Auto Insurance Provider

Founded in 1922, State Farm currently has more than 84 million insurance policies, including 44 million auto insurance policies. According to 2019 statistics, Allstate has about a 16 percent market share of the auto-insurance industry, making it the country’s largest auto insurance company. In 2019, Allstate took in more than $40 billion in premiums. The company employs 59,000 people and has more than 19,000 insurance agents. State farm handles about 22,000 insurance claims every day.

Car Insurance Requirements in Illinois

When it comes to car insurance, Illinois is a fault-based state. This means that rather than file a claim with their own insurance company after an accident, injured motorists can bring a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance policy to recover for their accident-related damages.

In Illinois, all drivers must maintain a certain amount of insurance coverage. Specifically, state law requires a motorist to purchase at least the following:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist protection: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000 per accident

These are the minimum amounts required under state law. However, motorists can—and should—purchase additional coverage whenever possible. Otherwise, they may find that there is insufficient coverage. For example, state law does not require drivers to buy underinsured motorist protection. Thus, if an at-fault driver has only the bare minimum insurance coverage required by law, accident victims may be on the hook for their own medical expenses. Underinsured motorist protection is crucial because it provides coverage if an at-fault motorist does not have enough insurance to compensate an accident victim for their injuries fully.

Filing a Car Accident Claim With State Farm

Anyone injured in a car accident with another driver insured by State Farm can file a claim under the at-fault driver’s State Farm insurance policy. Once State Farm receives the claim, it will either approve the claim and make a settlement offer or deny the claim.

If State Farm decides to settle the claim, a representative will call the accident victim, offering them a settlement in exchange for the accident victim agreeing not to pursue the claim. However, these initial settlement proposals are often not enough to cover the accident victim’s damages. Studies suggest that accident victims who reject an initial settlement offer typically obtain more compensation, either through another settlement offer or a personal injury claim. Studies also show that injured motorists whom an attorney represents end up securing larger damages awards than unrepresented accident victims.

Of course, State Farm does not approve every claim. Often, the company will deny a claim. Understandably, this can leave an accident victim frustrated and, seemingly, without any options. However, accident victims still have options. Those who had their State Farm insurance claims denied can pursue a personal injury claim against the driver. If successful, the court may require the insurance company to pay out on the accident victim’s claim.  

At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, if State Farm denied your claim, we can help. Whether you filed a claim under your State Farm insurance policy or the at-fault driver’s, our dedicated Chicago car accident lawyers can explain your rights and work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Common Reasons Why State Farm Denies Car Insurance Claims

Like other companies, State Farm exists to make a profit. Thus, State Farm will look for any reason to deny a claim. While every accident is unique, the following are common reasons why State Farm denies an accident victim’s claim:

• The injured motorist did not file their claim on time;
• The wounded motorist did not obtain immediate medical care;
• The at-fault driver failed to pay their insurance premiums;
• The insurance company disputes who was at fault;
• The accident victim did not have underinsured or uninsured motorist protection; or
• The accident was not covered under the terms of the State Farm insurance policy.

Regardless of why State Farm denied your claim, the dedicated Chicago car accident lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help. We have more than thirty years of experience helping injured motorists recover compensation for their injuries from the country’s largest insurance companies.

Contact a Dedicated Chicago Car Accident Attorney for Immediate Assistance

If you were injured in a car accident, State Farm denied your insurance claim, we can help. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we understand your frustration and will aggressively pursue every penny of compensation you deserve. Our dedicated team of Chicago car accident lawyers has more than thirty years of experience holding insurance companies accountable under the terms of their policies, and we look forward to talking with you to see what we can do to help. As a part of the Briskman Guarantee, we handle all cases on a contingency basis. This means that we only accept payment if we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. To learn more about what you can do after State Farm denied your insurance claim and schedule a free consultation, call 877-595-4878. You can also get ahold of us through our online form, and one of our lawyers will contact you.