After being injured in an accident, injury victims are supposed to file a claim with an insurance company so they can be properly compensated to cover the expenses of medical care. Often, this involves negotiations with the liable party’s insurance company — as the at fault person or entity, they are responsible for paying damages to the victim.
Sadly, insurance companies will not always provide just compensation to the injured, and will deny or undervalue claims based on a number of reasons. Every accident case is different, but some reasons for claim denial are cited more often than others.
Denying a Policyholder’s Liability
One of the top reasons insurance companies deny a claim following an accident is they believe (or at least claim to believe) that their policyholder was not responsible for the accident or that their actions were not responsible for the injuries sustained by the other party.
Injury Minimization
An insurance company may deny or minimize the extent of your injuries to support their choice to deny your claim. Internal injuries can be especially susceptible to minimization by an insurance company, because they are not as easy to prove. It is important to keep all medical records, photos, and x-rays that exhibit your injuries.
Lack of Coverage
If you get in a motor vehicle accident, it is entirely possible that the other driver will be uninsured. However, a driver who has an insurance policy could have limited coverage, or be in the midst of a coverage gap for financial reasons. For example, if the policyholder has not paid their premiums for the period of time in which the accident occurred, their insurance company can say they were uninsured and deny any coverage.
Timing
In the aftermath of an accident, timing is everything. To ensure you receive a proper insurance payout, you must report an accident and receive medical attention as soon as possible. The failure to do so can result in a denial of your claim.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact Christian & Christian to discover your options. Schedule a free case evaluation through our online form or by calling (864) 408-8883.