Houston Lawyer who Sues Insurance Companies
Insurance policies are designed to ensure that there is financial coverage in the case of serious property damage or injuries. Many insurance policies protect against accidental injuries, such as the policies used in auto insurance, homeowners insurance, and business liability insurance. If you were injured and need to file a claim against an insurance company, you may be entitled to a payout under your policy or someone else’s policy. If the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to pay, you should turn to one of our Houston lawyers for suing insurance companies.
The Queenan Law Firm’s Houston attorneys represent injury victims and other individuals seeking compensation from an insurance company, and we sue auto insurance, homeowners insurance, medical care insurance, and other insurance companies to get you the payments you deserve. For a free legal consultation, call our lawyers today at (817) 476-1797.
Suing Insurance After an Injury in Houston, TX
Insurance usually covers first-party claims, third-party claims, or both first- and third-party claims. In a first-party claim, the insurance policyholder files a claim against their own insurance policy to have the insurance cover the cost of an injury, medical care, property damage, or some other harm. In a third-party claim, someone that the policyholder injured or harmed files the claim against the policy instead.
In first-party claims, the terms of the insurance policy will be vital. Your insurance company is contractually obligated to follow the insurance policy, and if they refuse to pay for something covered under the policy, you may be entitled to take them to court to enforce the policy. Sometimes, initial denials can be resolved by appealing the claim, but this can often be a difficult and confusing situation. Having an attorney guide you through the process and help you understand what you are entitled to can be vital to getting you the payments you need.
In third-party claims, the insurance policy is between the insurance company and the person who injured you. This means that you are not a party to the contract, but you can still often file a lawsuit to get the damages you need. The first part of a claim like this will be proving that the policyholder was responsible for your injuries. Most insurance policies cover accidental injuries, which means that you need to prove that the policyholder caused your injuries through negligence or inattention. Once you prove this, the court can order the at-fault party to pay your damages. The insurance policy will then be required to cover the costs under their contract with the policyholder.
In some cases, the details of insurance policies and liability coverage can be extremely complex, and you may need a lawyer to represent your needs and interests against the insurance company.
Should I File an Insurance Claim or a Lawsuit?
In many cases, filing an insurance claim might be the simplest way to get your damages covered. If you faced mild injuries or property damage, an insurance claim with the proper insurance company might cover these costs without much fuss.
However, if the injuries are severe or the property damage is extensive, an insurance claim might not be enough to pay for the full costs. Some insurance policies cover only a portion of the damages, or they refuse to cover unnecessary costs or damages brought about by intentional harm. In these cases, you will likely need to file a lawsuit instead of an insurance claim.
A lawsuit might also be better in some injury cases. While insurance coverage might pay for damages after a car accident or truck accident, the injuries you face might include additional damages that insurance policies simply do not cover. “Pain and suffering” is considered a type of noneconomic damages, and most insurance policies do not pay these damages. That means that an insurance claim might automatically fall short of the damages you deserve.
Some insurance claims might also have strings attached to the payments that make it impractical to file an insurance claim. For instance, workers’ compensation insurance at your job might require you to use a doctor that your employer chooses. If you can opt out of this system, it might be better to sue instead of filing an insurance claim.
In most cases, you must choose one or the other: you cannot typically get paid through an insurance claim then sue on top of that. An insurance payout will usually be considered a settlement that blocks any additional claims for the same damages.
Appealing Denials from Insurance Companies in Houston
If you live in or around the Houston area, our attorneys may be able to help you fight denials from your insurance company. If you are entitled to payments for medical coverage, mental healthcare costs, damage to your home, damage to your car, or other insurance payouts, our lawyers will help you fight to get the coverage you need.
Some insurance policies can be tricky, but many instances of bad-faith insurance coverage or intentional attempts by insurance companies to dodge their obligations can leave people without the money they deserve. Our lawyers may be able to help you appeal a denial with your insurance company and sue to ensure that the claim is paid as it should be.
Call Our Houston Lawyers for Help Suing Your Insurance Company
If you or a loved one was injured or needed to file a claim with your insurance company, there is a chance that an insurance company may resist paying your claim, unfairly deny your claim, or refuse to accept their policyholder was at fault. If you need help getting the insurance payments you deserve, call The Queenan Law Firm today for help filing a lawsuit and seeking damages against an insurance company. Call our Houston attorneys at (817) 476-1797 to set up a free legal consultation today.