Can I Sue Nationwide 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 Nationwide car accident lawsuits and settlements.

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, you may be wondering what your next steps should be to seek compensation for losses and damages. In most cases, you’ll need to file a claim with your or the at-fault party’s insurance company to receive a payout.

If your settlement offer doesn’t seem fair, it may be time to sue. You can also file a lawsuit against insurance companies like Nationwide Mutual insurance company if they deny your auto insurance claim or act in bad faith.

Working with a car accident attorney is the best way to determine if suing Nationwide is in your best interest. Consider getting a free consultation from an experienced car accident law firm today to ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve.

What to Know About Suing Nationwide for an Insurance Claim

Filing a lawsuit against Nationwide can help ensure you receive a fair settlement or verdict that provides maximum compensation for your losses. This can include compensation for property damage, medical bills, and more.

The state in which you live will determine whether you file a lawsuit against your own insurance company or that of the liable motorist’s. Working with experienced and dedicated legal representation can ensure you fully understand your situation and the steps you need to take.

Is Suing Nationwide the Same as an Insurance Claim?

A personal injury claim, or auto accident claim, is what a car accident victim files with an insurance company in order to seek compensation for damages. How much a victim is eligible for will depend on policy limits, the extent of damage, and coverage.

A car accident claim involves insurance claim adjusters and is completed outside of court.

If you feel that you don’t receive a compensation offer that represents the value of your claim or that the insurance company acted in bad faith, you may wish to sue.

Filing a lawsuit against Nationwide requires the claimant to take legal action by taking the claim to court. In most instances, the policyholder’s insurance company will be responsible for paying out the settlement reached in court.

Eligibility for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit Against Nationwide

Your eligibility to file a lawsuit against Nationwide following a vehicle accident will largely depend on how your initial Nationwide insurance claim was handled.

In many personal injury cases, a claimant will choose to file a lawsuit if the insurance company acted in bad faith throughout the claims process or denied their claim.

Ways in which an insurance company may act in bad faith include:

• Not handling a claim in a timely manner
• Not offering a fair settlement that matches the extent of losses and damages
• Requiring extensive demands to prove damages
• Refusing claims that should be honored

 

What Type of Lawsuit Can You File Against Nationwide?

There are two primary types of lawsuits that may apply in car accident cases.

The most common lawsuit types filed against Nationwide include:

• Personal injury lawsuits: This type of lawsuit involves seeking compensation for personal injuries incurred in the accident. For example, you may sue for reimbursement for medical expenses.
• Wrongful death lawsuits: If a loved one was killed in an accident caused by another driver, you may wish to sue for wrongful death. You may receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages on behalf of the deceased.

 

Factors in Car Accident Lawsuits Against Insurance Companies

There are a number of things that can influence a car accident lawsuit against an insurance company like Nationwide.

Some of the most common factors that may affect your lawsuit include:

• The state you live in: Where you live has an impact on whether you’ll file a claim and/or lawsuit with your own insurance carrier or that of the at-fault party’s. In an at-fault state, you’ll file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. The opposite is true for no-fault states.
• Negligence: If you are found to be negligent in relation to the cause of the accident, this may limit how much compensation you can seek.
• Accident liability: You can only file a lawsuit against the other motorist if they are found liable for the car crash.
• The extent of damages and injuries: In most cases, the more severe the damages and/or injuries incurred, the larger the settlement you can seek.
• The at-fault motorist’s insurance premium and coverage: If the at-fault motorist does not have auto insurance or has insufficient coverage, you’ll need to sue the motorist directly for compensation.

 

How to Sue Nationwide Insurance After an Auto Accident

A car accident lawyer can guide you on filing a lawsuit, but here are the steps you will likely take to successfully file a lawsuit against Nationwide or another large auto insurance company.

1. Get in Touch With an Auto Accident Lawyer

Working closely with a personal injury lawyer, or car accident lawyer, is your best bet for a successful outcome. It’s important to find an attorney who is on your side and is experienced in auto accident and trial law.

2. File Your Auto Accident Claim With Insurance

Before you can file a lawsuit, you must first file a claim with the insurance company. Your attorney can file your claim on your behalf and advocate for you with insurance adjusters and other parties involved.

3. Start Settlement Negotiations

As part of your auto accident claim, your personal injury attorney will begin settlement negotiations with the other party’s legal team. In most cases, you will be able to reach a settlement outside of court.

4. Submit Your Lawsuit Against Nationwide

If a fair settlement isn’t reached during the claims process, your attorney may advise you that it’s in your best interest to file a lawsuit against either the liable party or Nationwide. You will file the lawsuit through your local court.

Evidence You Need to Sue Nationwide for an Insurance Claim

Having the right supporting evidence for your lawsuit is imperative to receiving a fair settlement.

Common evidence needed in a lawsuit against an auto insurance company include:

• Medical records: If you were injured in the car accident, you will need to submit any medical records as evidence for your lawsuit. This shows the court the extent of your injuries as well as the expenses related to these injuries.
• Recorded statements: If you obtained any recorded statements from witnesses of the accident, you may wish to submit these as part of your evidence.
• Police report: The police report is a critical part of your case, as it shows the court who was at fault and other important facts related to the auto collision.

 

Nationwide Insurance Coverage and How It Affects Lawsuits

Auto insurance companies like Nationwide offer policyholders a variety of options when it comes to coverage. The type of coverage you and the liable party have can affect your lawsuit.

Common types of car insurance coverage offered through Nationwide include:

• Liability coverage: Liability coverage protects the policyholder should they cause an auto accident that results in injuries or damages to another person. This is typically the type of coverage needed when suing a liable party for damages.
• Comprehensive coverage: This type of coverage helps policyholders cover non-collision-related damages to their vehicle. For example, if a storm caused damage to your car, your comprehensive coverage would provide compensation to repair it via a claim.
• Collision coverage: This coverage provides compensation to repair or replace your vehicle should it be damaged in a collision, regardless of who caused the accident.

 

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

The length of time you have to file a lawsuit against Nationwide or another large auto insurance company will depend on the state you live in. Each state has a specific statute of limitations on auto accident and personal injury cases.

The most common statute of limitations is two years. This means that you have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this timeframe, you won’t be eligible to sue Nationwide.

The personal injury law firm you choose to work with can inform you of the statute of limitations for your specific state.

 

Nationwide Car Insurance Lawsuit Settlements

Nationwide doesn’t provide up-to-date information on its lawsuit settlements. However, there is information available on typical car accident settlements among larger insurance companies that include Nationwide.

Some of the numbers available include:

• In 2020, average settlements ranged between $20,000 and $25,000.
• A survey conducted by Martindale-Nolo found that the average settlement was around $23,900.
• The Insurance Information Institute reported that the typical claim for personal injury in 2020 was $20,235.
• The Institute also reported that average claims for property damage were around $4,700.

 

Types of Damages in Nationwide Car Accident Lawsuits

There are several types of damages that can occur as a result of an auto accident and that are therefore included in a car accident lawsuit.

The most common damages seen in Nationwide car accident lawsuits include:

• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of income
• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Wrongful death
• Pain and suffering

These are just a few of the damages that may be relevant to your case. If you’re unsure which damages apply to your situation, speak with your car accident lawyer.

 

Nationwide Auto Insurance Statistics

According to Nationwide’s 2022 Annual Report, they are the 8th largest provider of personal auto insurance in the United States. The company paid out a total of $18.8 billion in benefits and claims to policyholders in 2022.

 

Get Help Suing Nationwide After a Car Crash Today

If you believe that Nationwide handled your claim unfairly or if they denied your claim, you may be wondering if you should take legal action.

Filing a lawsuit against a large insurance company like Nationwide can be complex, so having an experienced and dedicated auto accident attorney on your side is crucial.

To get connected with an award-winning personal injury lawyer in your area today, reach out to LegalFinders. We’d be happy to help you find the best attorney for your unique case.