Can I Sue CSAA After a Car Accident?

Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Your Area

You may have many questions when you are involved in a car wreck, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions related to car accident lawsuits and claims with CSAA.

Quick answer: While not a first option for most, suing CSAA insurance, an insurance group through AAA insurance, following a car accident is a possibility.

In most instances, you’ll first need to submit an accident claim through the company before considering legal action.

Working with an experienced car accident or personal injury law firm can help ensure you receive the best legal advice on this matter. Your attorney can provide you with a free case evaluation to determine if a lawsuit is in your best interest.

What to Know About Suing CSAA for an Insurance Claim

One important thing to keep in mind when making the decision to file a lawsuit against CSAA for an auto accident insurance claim is that your state’s fault laws will play a role in the outcome.

A state is either a fault state or a no-fault state. For example, California is a fault state. This means that the at-fault driver is responsible for paying for all damages and losses sustained by all parties in the accident they caused.

A no-fault state means that each driver is responsible for their own compensation, generally through collision coverage or medical payments coverage. Uninsured or underinsured motorists will likely have to pay out-of-pocket for their damages.

Is Suing CSAA the Same as an Insurance Claim?

Answer: No, suing CSAA is not the same as filing an auto accident or personal injury claim with the company.

An insurance claim is generally the first thing you will file following a motor vehicle accident, whether with your own insurance company or with that of the at-fault driver. If you’re unsure where you should file your claim, speak with your personal injury lawyer for guidance.

Once you’ve filed a claim and gone through the claims process, or if the insurance company refused to honor your claim, you may then decide to take legal action.

Eligibility for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit Against CSAA

The primary reason why policyholders and accident victims choose to file a car accident lawsuit against CSAA is due to bad faith. Bad faith is when the insurance provider acts in a way that undermines your claim.

Examples of bad faith on behalf of an auto insurance company include:

• Taking an excess amount of time to process a claim
• Refusing to process a claim
• Offering a lowball settlement amount that does not match the actual damages and losses
• Requiring excess information or proof for damages and losses
• Not honoring a policyholder’s coverage

 

What Type of Lawsuit Can You File Against CSAA?

Answer: There are a few common types of lawsuits filed against car insurance companies like CSAA. Your car accident attorney can help you determine which lawsuit best suits your unique case.

The following are the types of lawsuits brought against CSAA and other insurance companies following an auto accident:

• Personal injury lawsuits, which help victims seek adequate compensation for serious injuries incurred in the accident. Examples of damages and losses seen in personal injury lawsuits include medical expenses, lost wages as a result of injury, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
• Wrongful death lawsuits, which are filed when an accident victim is wrongfully killed in an accident. Example damages and losses seen in this type of lawsuit include economic loss, funeral and burial expenses, and pain and suffering.

 

Factors in Car Accident Lawsuits Against Insurance Companies

There are several factors that can directly impact the outcome of a car accident lawsuit against an insurance company like CSAA.

It’s important that you understand these factors before taking legal action. Work with your personal injury attorney to learn more about how each one may affect your case.

Common influences in an auto accident lawsuit include:

• Who was found at fault for the accident
• The extent of bodily injury
• The extent of property damage
• Whether wrongful death was involved
• The state you live in
• Your and the other driver’s insurance policies
• How your claim was handled by the CSAA insurance adjusters
• The extent of bad faith displayed throughout the claims process

 

How to Sue CSAA Insurance After an Auto Accident

There are a few key steps that must be taken before and during the process of filing a lawsuit against CSAA. These steps often include:

1. Consider Working With a Car Accident Lawyer

Having an experienced attorney on your side can have a drastic positive impact on your overall experience throughout the claims process and, if necessary, any legal action taken.

Consider seeking an attorney as soon as possible following the accident. Most attorneys offer free consultations, so you’ll have the opportunity to determine which person is best for your case.

2. File an Auto Accident Insurance Claim With CSAA

Filing an auto accident claim is often the first step necessary to begin seeking compensation following a crash. You’ll need to gather several pieces of evidence and keep track of details such as any medical attention received.

In many cases, your attorney can file the claim on your behalf.

3. Negotiate Settlement Terms

Once the insurance company has assigned a claims adjuster and the adjuster has evaluated your case and determined its value, the company will typically offer a settlement.

If this settlement does not meet your unique damages and losses, your attorney can begin negotiations on your behalf. It’s important to note that most insurance claims cases are settled outside of court.

4. Take Steps to Sue CSAA

If a fair settlement is unable to be negotiated, your attorney may advise you that filing a lawsuit against CSAA is the logical next step. This lawsuit will be filed in your local court and handled by your lawyer.

Evidence You Need to Sue CSAA for an Insurance Claim

There are several important pieces of evidence you must submit as part of your insurance claim. The more evidence you can provide, the more likely it is that you will receive fair compensation for your damages and losses.

Common evidence required in an auto accident claim includes:

• Police report
• Proof of property damage
• The driver’s insurance for all parties involved
• Medical expense documentation, such as medical bills
• Contact information of any witnesses

 

CSAA Insurance Coverage and How It Affects Lawsuits

Large insurance companies like CSAA often offer several types of coverage as part of their auto insurance policies.

Examples of insurance coverage that may be included in a CSAA policy include:

• Medical payments coverage is a type of insurance that provides coverage should you or the passengers in your vehicle suffer injuries during an auto accident.
• Collision coverage may provide compensation should you damage your vehicle in an accident or by hitting another object.
• Personal injury protection can help cover expenses related to injuries incurred in an accident and is similar to medical payments coverage.
• Comprehensive coverage helps offset the cost of property damage should your vehicle be marred by something other than an accident, such as wind or hail.
• Liability insurance typically includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability and is mandatory in most states.

 

How Long Do You Have to Sue CSAA After an Accident?

Answer: Your state’s statute of limitations will largely dictate how long you have to sue CSAA or file an auto accident claim following a collision.

For example, if the statute of limitations in your state is two years, this means you have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action against the insurance company or at-fault driver.

 

CSAA Car Insurance Lawsuit Settlements

CSAA does not offer up-to-date information related to its car insurance lawsuit settlements. However, the Insurance Information Institute regularly performs studies related to auto accident lawsuit settlements and accounts for many large insurance providers like CSAA.

In 2018, the III found that the typical settlement amount for a property damage case was around $4,000. It also reported that the average compensation received from an insurance company for personal injury cases related to car accidents was around $16,000.

 

Types of Damages in CSAA Car Accident Lawsuits

The types of damages that may be included in a car accident lawsuit against CSAA will depend on the extent and severity of the accident and any injuries incurred.

While each lawsuit will have different damages, some of the most common include:

• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Expenses for medical treatment and needs
• Property damage

Your car accident attorney can help you identify which damages apply to your case and how to best represent them in a court of law.

 

CSAA Auto Insurance Statistics

According to the U.S. News and World Report, American Automobile Association insurance, or CSAA in some states, is rated in the top five for customer loyalty. The national average premium cost per year for auto insurance through CSAA is $1,958.

Additionally, AAA comes in at sixth out of 10 for best car insurance companies in 2023 according to a U.S. News study.

 

Get Help Suing CSAA After a Car Crash Today

If you’ve filed a claim with CSAA and feel that your claim was not handled properly or was denied entirely, consider working with an experienced auto accident attorney to get the compensation you deserve.

LegalFinders has gone to great lengths to find and vet personal injury and car crash lawyers throughout the United States, making it easy to get connected with one near you today.