Disputing a Car Accident Claim With Allstate

If you suffered injuries in a Chicago car accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation to help you recover the damages you sustained in the accident. However, to do so, you must either file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or with your own insurance company. When dealing with a major insurance company like Allstate, it is important for accident victims to know what they are up against and prepare. Insurance companies are for-profit corporations that will look for every reason to deny a claim. Too often, accident victims take insurance companies at their word. However, accident victims who had their claim denied by Allstate have options.  

At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help accident victims recover the compensation they deserve after a serious accident. Having represented clients in Chicago car accident claims since 1987, we command an impressive knowledge of the insurance industry and what it takes to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. Our lawyers work closely with accident victims, their families, employers, medical providers and a nationwide team of respected experts to ensure our clients recover everything they deserve, helping them move on with their lives.

Allstate Is a Leading Auto Insurance Provider

Founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck & Co., Allstate currently insures more than 16 million households. According to 2019 statistics, Allstate commands about a ten percent market share of the auto-insurance industry, making it the fourth-largest auto insurance company in the country. In 2019, Allstate received more than $23 billion in insurance premiums.

Illinois Car Insurance Requirements

When it comes to car insurance, Illinois is a fault-based state. This means that accident victims can bring a claim against the at-fault party to recover compensation for their damages. Under state law, all motorists must obtain the following amount of insurance coverage:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Bodily injury liability insurance covers the cost of injuries related to accidents caused by the insured driver. In a bodily injury claim, the injury victim files a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

• Uninsured motorist protection: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist (UM) protection insurance compensates an accident victim if the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance or in the case of a hit-and-run accident. In a UM claim, the accident victim files a claim with their own insurance policy.

• Property damage liability: $20,000 per accident
Property damage liability insurance covers the cost of property damage resulting from an accident caused by the insured driver. In a property damage liability claim, the injury victim files a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

While these are the minimum amounts required by law, motorists can—and should—purchase additional coverage. For example, if an at-fault motorist does not have the necessary amount of insurance coverage, accident victims can be left responsible for their own medical expenses. This is where underinsured motorist protection kicks in. Underinsured motorist protection kicks in when an at-fault motorist does not have sufficient coverage to fairly compensate an injured motorist for their injuries. Underinsured motorist protection is crucial, yet many motorists do not understand its importance.  

Filing an Allstate Insurance Claim

When someone is injured in a car accident caused by another driver, they can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s Allstate insurance policy. Allstate will then review the claim and determine how the company wants to handle it. Often, an Allstate representative will call the accident victim, offering them a sum of money in exchange for the accident victim agreeing not to pursue the claim any further. This is referred to as a settlement offer.

However, an insurance company’s initial settlement proposal may be far less than the accident victim’s damages. Studies have shown that accident victims who reject an initial settlement offer tend to obtain more money for their injuries, either through subsequent settlement offers or through a personal injury claim. The same study suggested that accident victims who work with an attorney end up with more substantial damages awards.

Allstate, however, does not always make a settlement offer. In many cases, the company will deny an insurance claim, leaving the accident victim frustrated and, seemingly, without options. However, that is not the case. Accident victims who have their claims denied can pursue a Chicago personal injury claim against the at-fault driver (and their insurance company) to force the company to pay out on the claim.

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

Why Allstate Denies Insurance Claims

Allstate may deny an insurance claim for several reasons. The following are among the most common reasons why an insurance company denies an accident victim’s claim:
• The at-fault driver did not pay their insurance premiums;
• The accident victim did not file their claim on time;
• The insurance company disputes who was at fault;
• The accident victim did not obtain immediate medical care;
• The accident victim does not have underinsured or uninsured motorist protection; or
• The accident was not covered under the terms of the insurance policy.

These situations can result in a major headache for accident victims, who may not be familiar with insurance policies and the governing laws. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, that is where we come in. With over three decades of experience helping injured motorists recover the compensation they need and deserve, we have the knowledge, skill and experience necessary to assist you with your claim.

Reach Out to a Dedicated Chicago Car Insurance Lawyer Today

If you were recently injured in a car accident, and are experiencing difficulties dealing with the insurance company, let us help. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we will aggressively pursue every penny of compensation you deserve. Our firm has more than thirty years of experience holding negligent drivers and their insurance companies accountable, and we look forward to talking with you to see how we can help. As a part of the Briskman Guarantee, we handle all cases on a contingency basis, meaning we will only accept payment if we are successful in getting compensation for you or your family. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today, call 877-595-4878. You can also reach us by filling out our online form, and one of our attorneys will reach out to you.