Los Angeles · Serving California
Insurance Denied Liability After a California Accident
A favorable police report does not force an insurer to accept liability. A useful response identifies why the insurer disagrees and supplies evidence that addresses the disputed point.
The Justice Brothers · Brian Masjedian · California Bar No. 357298
Separate fault, coverage, and damages
A fault dispute asks who caused the collision. A coverage dispute asks whether a policy applies. A damages dispute asks what harm the incident caused and what compensation is supported. Ask the insurer which issue it is raising; a response to one issue may not resolve another.
Ask for the position in writing
Keep the denial or reservation letter, claim number, adjuster’s contact details, and the stated factual or policy basis. Avoid assuming that a phone conversation captures the full position. If you are represented, provide the correspondence to your attorney.
Match evidence to the dispute
- Collision sequence: original video, witness accounts, impact locations, and vehicle damage.
- Driver identity or vehicle involvement: report, photographs, plates, and available witness identification.
- Injuries and losses: medical documentation, bills, earnings records, and evidence of limitations.
- Policy issues: declarations, relevant policy language, endorsements, and the full denial letter.
When several vehicles were involved
In a chain reaction, identify the first impact and which vehicles were pushed into others. A driver leaving before officers arrive can create evidence gaps, but it does not alone establish responsibility for every impact. Keep witness information and the original report, including diagrams and supplemental pages.
An insurance investigation does not replace deadline review
California’s general deadline for a personal injury lawsuit is two years. A claim involving a California public entity generally requires a separate government claim within six months of accrual, followed by additional lawsuit deadlines. Exceptions and other deadlines can apply; an insurance claim alone does not preserve every deadline. Code of Civil Procedure §335.1; Government Code §911.2.
Bring the dispute to a consultation
The Justice Brothers can review the information you have and discuss possible next steps. Depending on the facts, that may involve further evidence, a coverage review, negotiation, or litigation. No particular outcome is promised.
Sources and further reading
Talk through your next step.
Request a free case review with The Justice Brothers.
General information, not legal advice. Each case depends on its facts. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship or extend a deadline. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.