Can a Closed Car Insurance Claim Be Reopened?

Generally, you cannot reopen a closed car accident insurance claim. Once you sign paperwork from the insurance company, you cannot request additional compensation in most cases.

However, exceptions may allow you to reopen an accident claim. For example, you may have a chance to secure more money if something voids the initial agreement or you never signed any paperwork.

A highly skilled Atlanta insurance claims lawyer can review your situation and provide more information. An insurance claims attorney can protect your interests and answer questions like, “Can a closed car insurance claim be reopened?”

When Can You Reopen a Closed Car Insurance Claim?

In most cases, you cannot reopen your closed car insurance claim. However, an experienced car accident attorney may help you reopen a closed insurance claim if:

Your Accident Involved Multiple Liable Parties

You may have a chance to reopen your accident claim if a lawyer discovers that multiple parties contributed to the crash. However, this option only becomes available in some cases.

For example, your settlement terms may state that you give up your right to file a claim against other liable parties after accepting settlement money. Therefore, you should give your lawyer time to investigate before signing a settlement offer.

Something Voided Your Settlement Agreement

In some cases, a lawyer may find errors in your settlement agreement. For example, the insurer could make inaccurate statements about your settlement amount. These mistakes could void the contract, allowing you to reopen your request for compensation from the at-fault driver.

You Have Not Signed the Agreement

A car insurance claim does not technically close until you sign official paperwork, including your release of liability. The claims process generally remains open even if you made a verbal agreement.

Therefore, you should never sign the settlement agreement or release of liability without consulting with an Atlanta car accident lawyer. Additionally, you can protect your best interests by avoiding a verbal agreement unless your lawyer advises you to take this step.

The At-Fault Party Never Paid You

Finally, you may have a chance to open a closed claim back up if an experienced attorney can show that the responsible party never covered your losses.

You can learn more about potential situations that mean a closed car insurance claim can be reopened with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer.

What Is a Closed Claim?

A closed claim is a resolved request for compensation from the insurance company. Sometimes, the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will simply tell you that your claim is closed.

However, other times, insurance companies might close your claim for other reasons, such as if you did not pursue your claim or did not pay your insurance premiums. If your claim is closed for one of these administrative reasons, you might get it re-opened without having to take legal action.

What to Do When Your Insurance Company Refuses to Reopen Your Claim

If your insurance company refuses to reopen the insurance claim, you should immediately contact an attorney. A lawyer may help regardless of the reason the insurance company gives you for refusing to open your claim.

Your legal remedies against your insurance company will arise from your insurance company’s breach of your insurance policy agreement. In some cases, a lawyer can build a bad faith claim.

Your insurance claims lawyer will scour over your policy agreement to find any clause your insurance company breached. If there is anything at all in that agreement that can help you, your insurance claims attorney will use it to get you the justice that you deserve.

Other Reasons You Might Want to Have Your Claim Reopened

Other than the denial of your claim, there may be another reason that you want to reopen your insurance claim. For example, the payout that your insurance company gave you might be insufficient. People often do not discover the full extent of their losses until weeks or months after the accident.

You may even suffer injuries that are not immediately apparent. Sometimes, insurance companies work too quickly, and you may want them to reopen your claim and ensure everything is covered.

In other situations, you might find new evidence not considered in the insurance company’s initial investigation. You might want them to reopen your case to have the insurance company keep that evidence in your case file, which can be helpful for you if you file a lawsuit later on or if your insurance company reconsiders the amount of money to offer you.

When Should You Contact a Lawyer

If you are in a car accident, you should contact a lawyer immediately. You never know whether you will discover injuries later on, need legal advice, or need to file a lawsuit. If you are in a car accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is contact a highly skilled and professional insurance claims attorney to protect your interests.

An attorney can take steps to bring you compensation for all of your losses, including your:

• Current and long-term medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium and companionship

Attorneys handle all legal communication with insurance companies and provide you with protection throughout the legal process. You do not have to try to secure compensation on your own. Instead, you can rely on a personal injury law firm to handle all legal matters while you focus on recovery. 

Attorneys stay available 24/7, so you never have to wait to get help. It’s pivotal that you talk to a lawyer before signing any paperwork or providing a recorded statement to insurance representatives. 

Talk to Us About Reopening Your Insurance Claim

Can a closed car insurance claim be reopened? Generally, you cannot revisit your settlement after the end of the claims process.

Therefore, the professionals recommend that you get skilled legal assistance from a compassionate insurance claims lawyer who can provide whatever legal services you need, especially if you have issues with an insurance claim or company.

The “Strong Arm” John Foy at John Foy & Associates is a compassionate and experienced lawyer who cares deeply about the Georgia community and wants to help you. You can learn more about the services we provide when you call or complete our online contact form.